China's Sinovac Begins Phase 3 Clinical Trial of COVID-19 Vaccine in Brazil

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Chinese vaccine developer Sinovac is conducting Phase 3 clinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine in Brazil.

On the 7th, according to Sinovac and others, the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) under the Brazilian Ministry of Health approved Sinovac's Phase 3 clinical trial.

This clinical trial will be conducted in collaboration with the Brazilian vaccine manufacturer Butantan Institute at 12 research centers across 6 regions in Brazil, involving 9,000 volunteers.

The research team plans to divide participants into two groups: adults (18?59 years old) and elderly (60 years and older), administering the vaccine at two-week intervals, followed by a follow-up period of up to 12 months.

Sinovac previously announced preliminary results of Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials last month. According to Global Times, the Phase 2 trial showed a neutralizing antibody formation rate of over 90% within two weeks.

If the vaccine's efficacy is confirmed, S?o Paulo, Brazil plans to mass-produce the vaccine in the first half of next year and provide free vaccinations to millions of residents.