Walvax COVID-19 vaccine

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ARCoV
Vaccine description
TargetSARS-CoV-2
Vaccine typemRNA
Clinical data
Routes of
administration
Intramuscular
Identifiers
DrugBank

ARCoV, also known as the Walvax COVID-19 vaccine, is a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by Walvax Biotechnology, Suzhou Abogen Biosciences, and PLA Academy of Military Science.[1]

Description[edit]

ARCoV is a mRNA vaccine which consists of a lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated mRNA encoding the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-22. It was the first mRNA vaccine to be approved for clinical trials in China. Manufactured as a liquid, ARCoV is thermostable at room temperature for at least 1 week.[1]

Development[edit]

Phase I and II trials[edit]

Preclinical studies in mice and primates have shown ARCoV elicited a Th1-biased cellular response and robust antibodies against SARS-CoV-22.[1][2]

In June 2020, Walvax began a Phase I trial to evaluate safety, tolerance, and preliminary immunogenicity with 168 participants aged 18–59 in Hangzhou divided into low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups.[3]

In January 2021, Walvax began a Phase II trial to evaluate immunogenicity and safety of different doses with 420 participants aged 18–59 in Yongfu and Xiangfen divided into low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose, and placebo groups.[4]

Phase III trials[edit]

The Phase III trials would enroll an estimated 28,000 participants. Elderly people over 60 years old are planned to comprise 25% of trial participants and randomly assigned into the study group and control group at a ratio of 1:1.[5] Overseas clinical trials could begin in May, with South America as the "first option" for a trial location.[6] Tigermed, a Hangzhou-based clinical research organization, would be responsible for conducting the overseas trials. If successful, production of ARCoV could start in early 3rd quarter.[7]

Mexico has signed agreements with Walvax to conduct late-stage clinical trials for ARCoV. Mexico's foreign ministry said Walvax was interested in producing the vaccine in Mexico.[8]

Manufacturing[edit]

In December, Walvax started constructing a facility to produce 120 million doses of the vaccine each year.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine". go.drugbank.com. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  2. ^ Zhang NN, Li XF, Deng YQ, Zhao H, Huang YJ, Yang G, et al. (September 2020). "A Thermostable mRNA Vaccine against COVID-19". Cell. 182 (5): 1271–1283.e16. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2020.07.024. PMID 32795413.
  3. ^ "A Phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerance and preliminary immunogenicity of different doses of a SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in population aged 18–59 years and 60 years and above". Chinese Clinical Trial Register. 24 June 2020. ChiCTR2000034112. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  4. ^ "A Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of different doses of a novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine in population aged 18-59 years". chictr.org.cn. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  5. ^ Walvax Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (13 April 2021). "A Global, Multi-center, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase III Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Protective Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of a SARS-CoV-2 Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) Vaccine Candidate in Population Aged 18 Years and Above". Abogen Biosciences Co., Ltd. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ "China's mRNA COVID-19 vaccine may start late-stage trial in May". Reuters. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  7. ^ "China's first mRNA vaccine ready for final stage trials". South China Morning Post. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  8. ^ Daniel FJ (12 August 2020). "Mexico to trial China, U.S. COVID-19 vaccines, may produce some". Reuters. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  9. ^ Liu R (21 December 2020). "China starts work on plant for mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate - media". Reuters. Retrieved 10 April 2021.