China’s COVID-19 Vaccine Induces SARS-CoV-2-Specific Neutralizing Antibodies in First Animal Study

In the first challenge study of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate on animals conducted in China, the vaccine candidate induced SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibodies in mice, rats, and non-human primates, specifically rhesus macaques.

The preclinical study on animals was conducted by Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (Beijing, China) for its vaccine candidate against COVID-19. Sinovac’s work on developing a vaccine against COVID-19 began in January 2020 in partnership with leading academic research institutes in China. The company received approval in April to conduct phase I/II studies on its inactivated vaccine candidate against COVID-19 in China and has commenced the phase I trial on 144 healthy adults aged 18-59 years.


“Our study shows that our inactivated vaccine candidate induced SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibodies in mice, rats, and non-human primates, specifically the rhesus macaque. In fact, the results showed that our vaccine candidate offered safe and complete protection in rhesus macaques against SARS- CoV-2 strains,” said Mr. Weidong Yin, Chairman, President, and CEO of Sinovac. “Our preclinical results suggest a path forward for the clinical development of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for use in humans. As we begin our phase I trials, we will also accelerate the progress of our research in order to support the worldwide fight against COVID-19. Sinovac remains committed to developing vaccines for global use.”

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