BSMMU mulls Chinese firm’s vaccine trial

The BSMMU authorities are considering approving Chinese pharma Anhui Zhifei's proposal for the third phase trial of its Covid-19 vaccine.

On Sunday, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) received a letter from China's Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biologic Pharmacy in correspondence with the first one received on September 2, confirmed Prof Dr Kanak Kanti Barua, vice chancellor of BSMMU, to The Daily Star yesterday.

"They had not communicated with us since we gave our 11 observations. Yesterday [Sunday], they sent another letter. We are reviewing it to take further steps," he said.

Earlier, another Chinese company -- Sinovac Ltd -- cancelled the third phase of its trial in Bangladesh, saying there was a "fund shortage", despite the fact that icddr,b -- the contracted research organisation -- had finalised its plan for the trial.

Experts, however, said the reason behind the company's stepping back was the government's months-long delay in making the decision.

About the Anhui Zhifei proposal, Md Muhibur Rahman, additional secretary of the health ministry's health services division, told The Daily Star, "We do not know anything about it yet… However, we the government is ready to give [permission for the trial]."

He said that the approval from the Bangladesh Medical Research Council and the Department General of Drug Administration will be required for the third phase trial.

In its proposal, the Anhui Zhifei, according to officials, said the company will bear the cost for the trial. Besides, it will take the initiative to set a vaccine production plant in Bangladesh if the vaccine passes the trial.

Meanwhile, icddr,b submitted another proposal for the third phase trial of a Covid-19 vaccine developed by another Indian company, sources said

However, no further information was disclosed in this regard.