China Leads The Coronavirus Vaccine Race

Of the nine leading candidate that are under Phase III trial for the novel coronavirus in the world, five are from China- a most from any country. China has emerged as a leader in the novel coronavirus vaccines, a development that will enhance it as a global power but also raises concerns over safety and efficacy of the vaccine. Let’s look into the pros and cons of its leadership in the COVID-19 vaccine.

- Ayesha Siddiqui

Almost a year later, the country, which was the epicenter of the novel coronavirus has also emerged as a leader in the COVID-19 vaccines, a development that will enhance its standing as a global super power. Of the 40 new vaccines in clinical trials around the world, 11 are in China, the most of any country (as on September 25, 2020). Of the nine that are in Phase III, China has five. Chinese vaccines are expected to launch as early as December 2020.

Unlike western countries, which are hedging bets on the experimental vaccines, China is betting big on the tried and tested capabilities of inactivated vaccines. Five companies in the world that are pursuing inactivated coronavirus vaccines, four are Chinese, including Sinovac and two vaccines from state owned China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (Sinopharm). Earlier there were concerns about whether inactivated vaccines for the new coronavirus will work, but after AstraZeneca’s scandal in early September 2020 where the firm had to halt the trials because of adverse reaction, experts, now believe this old school method of vaccine might actually prove successful this time around as well.

While most of the Chinese companies are working independently, two of them - Fosun Pharma and Clover Biopharmaceuticals have partnered with international firms to develop the vaccine.

Fosun Pharma is partnering with US’ Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech. In August 2020, BioNTech and Fosun Pharma announced the start of clinical trial of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate in China.