Samples of the COVID-19 inactivated vaccine are seen at a vaccine production plant of China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) in Beijing, capital of China, April 10, 2020.Photo:Xinhua

 Chinese vaccine company Cansino Biologics says its phase-one human trials have found the company's COVID-19 vaccine candidate generated an immune response against Covid-19, and there is sufficient evidence to encourage further study, a company statement said on Monday. 

The vaccine, Ad5-nCoV, was approved to enter phase-one trials in March. It was co-developed by Cansino and the Beijing Institute of Biotechnology. It was the first vaccine candidate to enter phase-two trials, which test low doses - 50 billion virus particles - and medium doses - 500 billion virus particles.

Cansino shares opened high on Monday at HK$239 per share, an increase of 8 percent from previous session close. 

Findings of the phase-one trials have been peer-reviewed and published on The Lancet, and revealed that adverse reactions were mild to moderate, and enzyme-linked antibodies can peak 28 days after vaccination. 

To date, eight COVID-19 candidates have entered clinical trials, three of which were developed in China.

Cansino's US counterpart Moderna is also running human trials for its vaccine candidate, but interpretation of the vaccine's efficacy remains premature.

Cansino is also collaborating with Canada's National Research Council (NRC) and preparing to run its trials in Canada. 

Global Times