World’s First Phase 3 Clinical Trial of China’s COVID-19 Inactivated Vaccine Begins in UAE

The first WHO enlisted global clinical Phase 3 trial of China’s inactivated vaccine to combat COVID-19 has begun in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The inactivated COVID-19 vaccine has been developed by the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products under the China National Biotec Group (CNBG) affiliated to the China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (Sinopharm Beijing, China). The world's first inactivated COVID-19 vaccine produced antibodies in every participant in Phase 1/2 clinical trials. Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, was the first in the world to commence the trial of a Phase 3 inactivated vaccine for COVID-19. The UAE was selected to conduct the trials as the nation is home to over 200 nationalities, allowing for robust research across multiple ethnicities and increasing its feasibility for global application.


The trials are as a result of a cooperation partnership between G42 Healthcare and Sinopharm CNBG, the world’s sixth largest vaccine manufacturer. UAE Health Authorities have issued a permit for up to 15,000 volunteers to participate in the trials while G42 Healthcare and Abu Dhabi Health Services (SEHA) are working towards achieving a minimum of 5,000 participants for the trials being supervised by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi and SEHA following international guidelines stipulated by WHO and USFDA.

“Our participation in this trial enables us to make a major contribution in the global fight to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. We are proud to facilitate the testing process that if successful leads to the manufacture of a vaccine,” said Dr. Nawal Ahmed Alkaabi, Chairperson of the UAE National COVID-19 Clinical Management Committee.

“We are enormously proud to partner with Sinopharm CNBG in this groundbreaking phase III clinical trial. Using our AI solutions, super-computer, advanced diagnostics solutions for COVID-19, and G42 Healthcare will be responsible for running clinical operations for these trials,” said Ashish Koshy, CEO of G42 Healthcare.

“The UAE is a nation of innovation and tolerance, home to individuals from every part of the world and ethnic background. We will work closely with our partner G42 Healthcare, with the support of the Abu Dhabi health authorities to complete these clinical trials successfully and make this vaccine available to people in need worldwide,” added Jingjin Zhu, President, Biological products, Sinopharm CNBG.

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