On Nov. 3, 2020, Medigen Vaccine Biologics (MVC) and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), a public institute under the Ministry of Health in Vietnam, announced it had entered a partnership in MVC-COV1901 vaccine development. MVC will conduct clinical trials of MVC-COV1901 vaccine in Vietnam, whereas NIHE provides medical expertise to support the clinical studies and BLA registration via EUA (Emergency Usage Authorization) route in accordance to Vietnam regulations. Both parties will contribute best efforts to seek public and private resources to facilitate MVC-COV1901 vaccine development with the aim to supply COVID-19 vaccine in Vietnam by 2021.

NIHE, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, is a public institution under the Ministry of Health of Vietnam. NIHE oversees the prevention and control of epidemic diseases, and is experienced in conducting scientific research and clinical trials in epidemiology. As one of the national designated institutions to conduct laboratory testing of COVID-19 infections, NIHE has inclusive and updated information of COVID-19 infections in Vietnam, making NIHE one of MVC’s important partners to speed up COVID19 vaccine development. Since Vietnam has over 95 million population and as one of important ASEAN member states, MVC’s experience in Vietnam will accelerate vaccine supply to ASEAN countries through regulatory harmonization and approval process.

MVC-COV1901 vaccine is constituted of genetically recombinant S-2P spike protein license from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and CpG-1018 adjuvant collaborated with Dynavax. MVC-COV1901 vaccine has shown excellent immunogenicity data in mice and rhesus monkeys. The phase 1 clinical trial was initiated in Taiwan this September and MVC will conduct multi-regional multi-central phase 2 clinical trial in areas including Taiwan and Vietnam.