Malaysia’s first Covid-19 vaccine trial to begin next month

UPDATED 8PM | Malaysia will undertake its first Covid-19 vaccine trial next month as part of a government-to-government agreement with China, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said.

He said the trial will be a Phase III trial on a vaccine developed by Beijing-based Institute of Medical Biology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (IMBCAMS).

“This Phase III clinical trial will involve 3,000 participants and will assess the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in development,” Muhyiddin told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

He said the trial would be conducted by a local clinical research organisation and has already been registered in the National Medical Research Registry (NMRR).

The study will take place at eight clinical research sites managed by the Health Ministry.

A search in the NMRR database revealed that the study was registered on Nov 9 and is slated to start on Dec 1.

It is to take place at Penang Hospital, Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (Perak), Seberang Jaya Hospital (Penang), Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (Kedah), Sungai Buloh Hospital (Selangor), Taiping Hospital (Perak), Ampang Hospital (Selangor), and Sarawak General Hospital.

The study will involve healthy adults, of at least 18 years old.

Before the study begins, however, Muhyiddin said the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency will study the safety profile of the vaccine before approving a clinical trial import licence.

In addition, the Medical Research Ethics Committee will be perusing the study’s research protocol to ensure it adheres to the Health Ministry guidelines.

Covid-19 vaccine: M'sia-China agreement catalyst for greater cooperation - Agong

PM: Malaysia in China's Covid-19 vaccine priority recipient list

KJ explains science behind vaccinating only 70pct of population

Your guide to Malaysia’s bets in the Covid-19 vaccine race