BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine from Germany Applies for Use Approval in China

Pushing Pharmaceutical to Soon Submit Data from Phase 2 Clinical Trial in China and Phase 3 Overseas Trial
First Overseas Vaccine in Mainland China Upon Approval... Approved Last Month in Hong Kong

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] German BioNTech is applying to Chinese authorities for the use of its novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. This is the first application for overseas vaccine use in mainland China.

China's state-run Global Times reported on the 5th that China Fuxing Pharmaceutical will apply for approval to use BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine.

To this end, Fuxing Pharmaceutical plans to submit Phase 2 clinical trial data to Chinese health authorities, the media added.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Hui Aimin, Chief Global Research and Development Officer at Fuxing Pharmaceutical, said, "The Phase 2 clinical data for this vaccine in China will soon be completed," adding, "We will submit overseas Phase 3 clinical data along with the Phase 2 clinical data conducted in China to Chinese health authorities."

Regarding the Phase 2 clinical trial in China, he said, "A total of 960 people participated in Phase 2," and "Since half of the participants were aged 55 to 85, the vaccine's effectiveness in the elderly is expected."

Fuxing Pharmaceutical signed a contract last December with BioNTech to supply 100 million doses of the vaccine. This vaccine has received emergency use authorization in the UK, the US, Canada, and Europe. Hong Kong authorities also approved its emergency use last month.

The BioNTech vaccine is an mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccine, which differs from the inactivated vaccines (killed virus vaccines) developed domestically in China.

Regarding this, Chief Executive Hui explained, "mRNA and inactivated vaccines are not competitors but complementary," adding, "Various types of vaccines are more useful in controlling epidemics."

Voices within China are also calling for the introduction of overseas vaccines. There are concerns that the supply of domestically developed vaccines may be insufficient, and that receiving various vaccines could reduce risks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.