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Written by: Hao Ziyu
2020-12-22 20:32
Last update date: 2020-12-22 20:32
After waiting for more than half a year, the Hong Kong University team, which began developing the new crown vaccine as early as March, finally ushered in a breakthrough!
Although the SAR government has always been reluctant to fund the Hong Kong University team to develop the Hong Kong vaccine industry, fortunately, some private investors are willing to spend 1 billion Hong Kong dollars to set up the first vaccine factory in Hong Kong.
He Yiwu, the chief innovation officer and senior adviser to the principal of the University of Hong Kong who participated in the research and development work, revealed to Hong Kong 01 that the team may start producing a two-in-one vaccine against the new crown and influenza. Although the research and development progress has been delayed due to resource constraints, I believe that the University of Hong Kong The nasal spray vaccine still has natural characteristics and is expected to be famous in the future new crown vaccine competition.
The new crown pneumonia nasal spray vaccine developed by the University of Hong Kong in September received a seed funding of 620,000 US dollars from the International Organization Epidemic Prevention Innovation Alliance (CEPI).
(Information Picture / Photo by Zhang Haowei)
Slow approval delays production
He Yiwu first revealed to "Hong Kong 01" in mid-October that the "State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases" of the Department of Microbiology, Hong Kong University School of Medicine was awarded the "Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations" in March this year. , CEPI) provided a seed fund of 620,000 US dollars to conduct pre-clinical testing of the new crown vaccine; and the team took the initiative to propose to the SAR government a plan to set up a vaccine factory in Hong Kong. It is estimated that 1 billion Hong Kong dollars and 1.6 hectares of factory area will be required, but the Hong Kong government is not commenting.
Until recently, He Yiwu said that he has finally obtained the support of private investors and provided more than 170,000 square feet of factory building in Yuen Long to set up the first local vaccine factory. It is expected that the production of 20 million doses of Hong Kong-made vaccines can begin as soon as the end of next year.
After the news came out, it immediately attracted attention from all walks of life, but He Yiwu said today (December 22) that when he received an inquiry from "Hong Kong 01", he has not yet received a response from the government, but believes that the government "will definitely support it from a moral point of view." "I even firmly believe that the authorities will be more "accommodating" in the future, that is, prioritizing the processing of various approval applications for Hong Kong-made vaccines.
He reminded that even if the team is about to receive an investment of 1 billion Hong Kong dollars, it will not be easy to get the vaccine from research and development to production. It is estimated that it will take at least one year of preparatory work, including clinical trials, government approvals, plant reconstruction, etc.; and if the Hong Kong epidemic continues As a result, the authorities continue to tighten prevention and control measures, which will continue to delay plant construction and production progress.
Therefore, the speed of approval by the Hong Kong government is critical.
At the same time, clinical results are also critical.
He Yiwu explained that if you want to start production of vaccines in Hong Kong, you must pass Phase III clinical tests. As for whether it needs to be carried out in Hong Kong, it still needs to be negotiated with the government. Because of the current emergency of the new crown epidemic, many vaccine research and development teams need to work on high infection rates. Countries and regions conduct Phase III clinical trials; therefore, in the future, whether it is carried out by the University of Hong Kong or the overseas Phase III clinical trials completed by its collaborators, it is hoped that they will be recognized by the government.
He Yiwu said that he has recently received support from private investors and has provided more than 170,000 square feet of factory buildings in Yuen Long to establish the first local vaccine factory. It is expected that the production of 20 million doses of Hong Kong-made vaccines can begin as soon as the end of next year.
(Profile picture)
Hong Kong-made vaccines are worth the wait
The "vaccine shortage" is looming, and Hong Kong-produced vaccines are naturally eye-catching. However, considering the actual situation, it may take two to three years to be available, which is difficult to solve.
Nevertheless, He Yiwu still put forward two reasons, hoping that the public will wait patiently.
First, the new crown pneumonia virus is difficult to be eliminated in the short term.
The mutation of the new coronavirus strain in the UK recently has increased the spread of the new virus strain by 70%, causing global panic, and also proving that humans will fight the virus for longer.
He Yiwu said: "The virus may exist within three to five years. Therefore, although we are late to build the factory, it will never be a waste."
Second, the initial stage of the development of the new crown pneumonia vaccine is to fight for speed, that is, race against time in the time of development and marketing. Nowadays, there are many vaccines being produced. The next thing to fight is no longer speed, but the quality of the vaccine and the convenience of use. degree.
He Yiwu analyzed that from this point of view, the nasal spray vaccine developed by the University of Hong Kong is very advantageous because it has fewer side effects compared to the injection type. In addition, the vaccine is based on the influenza vaccine previously developed by the University of Hong Kong. In the future, there will be opportunities to put into production a two-in-one vaccine that can simultaneously control influenza and the new crown pneumonia virus—that is, prevent double viruses at one time.
Considering the actual situation, it may take two to three years for a Hong Kong-made vaccine to be available, which is inevitable.
(Photo by Ou Jiale)
Hong Kong must have vaccine production capacity
In addition to the above two reasons, it is also necessary to understand that vaccines are not a "one-off" project, but a long-term need.
As early as in an in-depth interview with "Hong Kong 01", He Yiwu revealed that the team's research and development progress was greatly hindered by the absence of a vaccine factory in Hong Kong. He could hardly imagine that such an advanced Hong Kong did not have any local vaccine company. This undoubtedly affected Hong Kong’s emerging development. Industry development and scientific research personnel training.
He Yiwu also called on the Hong Kong government to include Hong Kong-made vaccines in the "strategic reserve" of the SAR, because from influenza to the new crown, vaccine research and development is of vital importance to every country and region, and it is possible to "see others rather than yourself" at critical moments. Since there is a strong scientific research and development foundation, there is no reason not to build up your own strategic reserves!
In fact, as early as the 2005 peak of avian influenza, Professor Yuan Guoyong of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong publicly expressed his support for Hong Kong-made vaccines. Later, Director of Health Lin Bingen revealed that the Hong Kong government was negotiating with international pharmaceutical factories to establish vaccine factories in Hong Kong. possibility.
However, today, Hong Kong has experienced a seasonal influenza vaccine shortage year after year, and is now facing a new crown pneumonia vaccine shortage. However, the Hong Kong government still has no plans to set up its own factories, but instead shifts such an important task to universities and the private sector.
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