Monkeypox Vaccine: Chinese Drug Company Prepares Mpox Vaccine, To Undergo Clinical Trial Soon

China's top drug regulator has approved a mpox vaccine developed by Sinopharm for clinical trials. This could be the country's first experimental dose to combat the disease. The vaccine, created by the Shanghai Institute of Biological Products and administered by Sinopharm, aims to prevent and control mpox infections, according to a company statement released on Monday.

Mpox Vaccine Development

The new vaccine is based on a strain called MVA and is described as replication-deficient. This description matches Jynneos, the world's first mpox vaccine approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2019. Currently, there is no approved mpox vaccine in China. Globally, vaccines have been approved in countries like the United States, Canada, the European Union, Japan, and Russia.

In China, a vaccine candidate typically undergoes three phases of clinical trials before market approval. This process can take years or even decades. However, China's National Medical Products Administration has introduced accelerated channels to facilitate applications for novel drugs and vaccines or those urgently needed.

Global Mpox Situation

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared on August 14 that the mpox outbreak in Africa is a public health emergency of international concern - its highest alert level. Previously, in July 2022, WHO had declared a global emergency but lifted it in May last year due to a decline in cases worldwide. Over 120 countries have reported more than 100,000 confirmed infections and 226 related deaths.

China reported its first imported case of mpox in September 2022 and its first domestic case in June last year. By the end of July this year, China had reported 2,567 confirmed cases according to China Daily.

The development of this vaccine is crucial as it could significantly aid in controlling future outbreaks within China. The country has been proactive in streamlining processes for urgent medical needs through its top drug regulator.