DOST panel OKs Clover COVID-19 vaccine trials

The Department of Science and Technology's expert panel has greenlit clinical trials for Clover Biopharmaceuticals' COVID-19 vaccine, marking the second such approval after Sinovac Biotech.

The application must still receive endorsements from a separate ethics review committee and the local Food and Drug Administration before proceeding.

If approvals are secured, clinical trials for both Clover and Sinovac could commence as early as late December.

Three additional vaccine developers, namely Russia's Gamaleya, Janssen of Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca, have also submitted applications for clinical trials.

Gamaleya is in the process of completing required documentation, while Janssen's responses are under review, and AstraZeneca recently submitted its application.

Misamis Oriental Rep. Juliette T. Uy suggested that the Phividec Industrial Estate Authority could spearhead the local manufacturing of vaccines through licensing agreements.