Local COVID-19 vaccine Nanocovax is anticipated to be put into use by the middle of 2021 following the conclusion of the evaluation results of the ongoing human trials and the facilitation of administrative procedures, said Do Minh Sy, director of Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, the domestic vaccine producer. 

A stage in the research and production process of local COVID-19 vaccine at Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC

Sy emphasised that the mass deployment of public health measures remains the most effective solution that can be taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic at present.

Furthermore, the recruitment process of volunteers for the clinical trial is set to include three phases, with 60 volunteers being recruited for phase one and then divided into three groups. Each group will be testing a different dose of the vaccine, ranging from 25 to 50 and then up to 75 micrograms.

With regard to technology used in the vaccine production process, Sy revealed that there are four technologies in the world that are capable of producing a COVID-19 vaccine, adding that Nanogen has choosen to make use of the recombinant protein technology as the company has mastered this technology over the past 10 years.

Sy also noted that Nanogen will utilise artificial intelligence and use the assistance of the leading robots in terms of studying biotechnology in an effort to support the research process.

Do Minh Sy, director of Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC

Moreover, there are a number of challenges faced by the company in producing the vaccine, including the balance between investment and profitability, along with the continuous evolution and transformation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Indeed, Nanogen's research team has spent plenty of time encoding gene segments to ensure that the vaccine can have the best protective effect.

Sy said Nanocovax will be a 100% made-in Vietnam product, adding that the local firm has received enthusiastic support from experts from Harvard University, European countries, and domestic experts, especially the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, in facilitating the implementation of the vaccine project.

Sy went on to reveal that the Nanocovax vaccine will be priced at VND120,000 per dose with each person being injected with two doses. The vaccine will able to be stored at normal refrigerator temperatures ranging between two and eight degrees as opposed to -80 degrees like the RNA vaccines, which will make it difficult to bring the vaccine to remote areas in the country.

As for other clinical trials, volunteers will receive insurance coverage. However, this COVID-19 vaccine will not be listed among the world’s 20 Clinical Trial Centers, so insurance has not been approved.

However, Nanogen has just reached an insurance deal with banks to make sure that volunteers will receive insurance coverage if any problem raises, Sy added.