Last Updated on May 13, 2020, 8:59 AM AST by Anthony Morris
On Tuesday, the National Research Council said that CanSino Biologics Inc, the company which belongs to China and is behind one of the very few coronavirus vaccine candidates which are in clinical trials already, would be collaborating with Canada’s National Research Council to “pave the way” for future experiments in Canada.
The NRC stated it would be climbing a production process for CanSino’s vaccine in Montreal at a Government facility, and that CanSino is preparing a trial application for the drug regulator of Health Canada.
If the vaccine works, the collaboration could help to ensure that the Canadians would have access to it. Local trial data may convince Health Canada regarding the vaccine’s safety, and the local manufacturing of the drug could ensure that some doses are at hand in for the Canadians.
When asked that whether the collaboration would make it possible that Health Canada would consider the data gathered in China, the NRC as a response, said that in general, data could be shared with the regulator’s approval.
The agency stated, “Canadian clinical trials will increase on Chinese data and provide an improved understanding of the vaccine candidate’s safety profile.”
A vaccine which would protect the people from the coronavirus could end this global pandemic.
However, finding a vaccine that works and manufacturing enough doses of the vaccine is a considerable challenge.
Relations between China and Canada have been strained ever since the Canadian authorities had arrested Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou on December 1, 2018, at the request of the United States.
Her arrest angered the Chinese government, which finally detained two Canadian citizens – Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor – on state security charges.
But amid the pandemic, Canada has struggled to import protective equipment from the United States, turning in part to suppliers in China. A federal appropriation website notes that Canada has “established on-the-ground support in China” to manage the bulk purchases.
The agency added that CanSino and the NRC have been working together since 2013, and the vaccine of the company is produced using a cell line which was developed at the NRC.
Xuefeng Yu, the Chairman of CanSino, worked in Canada from 1996 to 2009, according to the company’s website, mainly for Sanofi.
Also, Canada promised on Tuesday, a sum of C$600 million to replenish the GAVI vaccine alliance, to support routine vaccinations around the world. GAVI is also helping low-income countries respond to coronavirus outbreaks.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
