China approves two experimental coronavirus vaccines to enter clinical trials

China has approved early-stage human tests for two experimental vaccines to combat the coronavirus as it battles to contain imported cases.

In a photo from March 30, 2020, a scientist works in a laboratory on research into Covid-19 antibodies in Beijing. PHOTO: REUTERS

Updated

Published

Apr 14, 2020, 09:55 AM

BEIJING (REUTERS) - China has approved early-stage human tests for two experimental vaccines to combat the new coronavirus that killed over 100,000 people worldwide, state media Xinhua reported on Tuesday (April 14).

The vaccines are being developed by a Beijing-based unit of Nasdaq-listed Sinovac Biotech, and by the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products, an affiliate of state-owned China National Pharmaceutical Group.

In March, China had the green-light for another clinical trial for a coronavirus vaccine candidate developed by the military-backed China's Academy of Military Medical Sciences and HK-listed biotech firm CanSino Bio.

That came shortly after US drug developer Moderna said it had begun human tests for their vaccine with the US National Institutes of Health.