Vietnam begins clinical trial of mRNA Covid-19 vaccine ARCT-154

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan and Chairman of the Council of Hanoi Medical University Ta Thanh Van witnessed the first test injection of ARCT-154 vaccine for a volunteer. - Vietnam News/ANN

HANOI, Aug 16 (Vietnam News/ANN): The Hanoi Medical University on Sunday (Aug 15) started the phase 1 of clinical trial of the mRNA Covid-19 vaccine named ARCT-154 vaccine with 100 volunteers from Hanoi.

The self-amplifying mRNA vaccine is developed by the US-based Arcturus Therapeutics who partners with VinGroup's VinBioCare for support in clinical trials and manufacturing (at a facility in Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park, Hanoi).

Professor Tran Van Thuan, Deputy Minister of Health, head of the health ministry's special working group on clinical trial research and development of Covid-19 vaccines, expressed his joy when witnessing the first injection of the experimental for volunteers.

"This vaccine is being tested at the Hanoi Medical University, and we strongly believe and look forward to completing the research soon to promote domestic vaccine production," he said.

"The first trial phase will be conducted with 100 volunteers, while 300 and 20,600 people will participate in the second and third phases, respectively."

He adds that the health ministry hopes that the research process will complete its third phase by the end of the year, and Vietnam could have more autonomy in vaccine supplies amid global shortage.

The technology allows a lower dose of vaccine, while the immune stimulation lasts longer, for a quick and simple prevention of the Covid-19, and is capable of fighting dangerous new variants of coronavirus such as Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma.

"I believe that, under the direction of the Government and the Prime Minister, with the help of domestic and international experts, the clinical trial of the vaccine will soon be successful and Vietnam will soon become self-sufficient in vaccines against Covid-19," said Thuan.

He also highly appreciated the careful preparation, enthusiasm, dedication and responsibility of scientists from the Hanoi Medical University and other facilities participating in clinical trials.

The deputy minister said this was the third vaccine following the Nanocovax, developed by Nanogen in Ho Chi Minh City, which is in phase 3 trials, and Covivax vaccines, currently in phase 2, in the series of research and technology transfers under the direction of the Government.