China Begins Human Trial of Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine After Promising Results in Animal Tests

The potential COVID-19 vaccine called BBIBP-CorV has been developed by the Beijing Bio-Institute Biological Products Co. Ltd. (Beijing, China) and China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. {(Sinopharm) Beijing, China} and is one of the five vaccines being tested on humans in China.

The BBIBP-CorV vaccine activates high-level antibodies which neutralize the coronavirus and prevent further infection. In tests conducted on monkeys, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits, the vaccine candidate triggered antibodies in the animals without creating any complications or safety concerns. The researchers have noted that the BBIBP-CorV vaccine was not only able to trigger an immune response in animals but also appeared safe, allaying fears of boosting the infection in a phenomenon known as Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE). While the vaccine did not trigger ADE in the animals, the results could be different in humans due to the physiological differences. The researchers have now begun human trials of the BBIBP-CorV vaccine involving 1,000 participants in an effort to find out if the vaccine maximizes a long-lasting immune response, while minimizing adverse reactions, autoimmunity, or disease exacerbation.

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Beijing Bio-Institute Biological Products Co. Ltd.
China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.