Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile: Sinovac is developing a specific vaccine for the Brazilian variant
The announcement was made known at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile by the delegation of executives and scientists from the Chinese laboratory Sinovac, during their first official visit to our country. The results of the study in this regard will be released in the coming days. In addition, the delegation referred to the future installation of its vaccine production plant in our country, which will benefit all Latin American countries and analyzed the possibility of reinforcing the immunization of the population with a third dose.
A group of scientists and representatives of the Sinovac laboratory, led by its vice president, Weining Meng, reported that they are developing a specific vaccine to combat the P1 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This is known as the ‘Brazilian variant’ and is the one with the highest circulation in Chile and Latin America. The announcement was made known at the Central House of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile , during the first official activity of the foreign delegation in our country, after having complied with the quarantine days established by the health authority.
“Sinovac scientists have made a specific vaccine for the Brazilian strain that is the most common in Chile. They are going to present the results this week and it is undoubtedly interesting because, in addition to strengthening immunity, we have raised the importance of generating vaccines that adapt to the variants that are circulating. They already advanced with studies, not only with the formulation, and it is interesting to take that into consideration at the time to strengthen immunity. “Said Dr. Alexis Kalergis, director of the Millennium Institute in Immunology and Immunotherapy, IIHI , and academic the Catholic University of Chile.
“In China the trials for the third dose have already started and that the antibodies have increased 10 to 20 times after 6 months,” added Weining Meng.
Asked about the possibility of reinforcing immunization in our country, the vice president of Sinovac, suggested that it is necessary to increase vaccination coverage if these are low. “And in the event that it is decided that this reinforcement is necessary, it should start with people who are at high risk.”
First production plant for Latin America
This first activity was led by Dr. Ignacio Sánchez, rector of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Dr. Alexis Kalergis, responsible for the “CoronaVac03CL Clinical Study”, which to date has more than 2300 participants nationwide.
One of the main objectives of the visit of Sinovac representatives is to evaluate the installation of a vaccine production plant in Chile, not only for our country, but for all of Latin America.
One of the main objectives of the visit of Sinovac representatives is to evaluate the installation of a vaccine production plant in Chile, not only for our country, but for all of Latin America.
“The implementation of the vaccination program in our country has been key for its development in Latin America and the world. In this matter, Chile wins a lot: in the first place, it is a scientific and technological development. When one starts or restarts a vaccine production there are many factors that are enhanced in terms of scientific development, the production of inputs for that plant, knowledge and training of scientists, technicians and professionals. Initially, many professionals and academics would come from China, but of course there would be training and joint work with their national peers. From the point of view of the biotechnological stimulus it is very important ”, highlighted the rector Ignacio Sánchez.
“It is a scientific and technological development. When one begins or restarts a vaccine production there are many factors that are enhanced in terms of scientific development, the production of inputs for that plant, knowledge and training of scientists, technicians and technicians. professionals “- Ignacio Sánchez, rector
“For Chile to position itself as a vaccination center for the entire continent is also a very important opportunity: UC wants to open the doors from public to private to different options so that Sinovac partners can develop their commercial options in our country . It is very important to resume the production of vaccines and in that sense Sinovac has expressed its true interest in being able to make decisions during the second semester and begin construction of the plant next year ”, he said.
For his part, Andrés Rodríguez, director of InvestChile stated that “Chile continues to be a very attractive country for foreign investment. This is an example where academia, the public and private sectors come together to make investment in Chile take place and generate all the impacts that we know it has: technology transfer, employment and everything related. In terms of R&D it is much more important for our country, for which we appreciate Sinovac’s trust in our country ”.
Furthermore, Weining Meng pointed out that “with the support of both the university and the Chilean government, we are trying to establish a local production plant for the vaccine. But not only CoronaVac is approved in Chile, we also have other approved vaccines. We are ready to contribute our efforts to the population here. We bring the production plant to Chile and we can provide our service to its population, but we can also provide our service to neighboring countries. But the fundamental thing continues being the collaboration between Sinovac and the Catholic University ”.
“With the support of both the university and the Chilean government, we are trying to establish a local production plant for the vaccine. But not only CoronaVac is approved in Chile, we also have other approved vaccines “- Weining Meng, vice president of Sinovac laboratory
“In 2018, together with our scientific team, we published an article in a high-impact, open-access journal about the importance of local vaccine manufacturing and its impact on adherence to their use, quality, accessibility, and distribution. What is stated in that article has been demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are several groups nationwide that conduct research in microbiology, immunology, and vaccine development. In this way, scientific research in Chile on vaccines has positioned itself at a national and international level. However, what would be lacking is to generate capacities for the large-scale manufacturing and production of vaccines in Chile. This is an important challenge and has been evident given the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, ”emphasized Alexis Kalergis.
“Scientific research in Chile on vaccines has been positioned at a national and international level. However, what would be lacking is to generate capacities for the large-scale manufacture and production of vaccines in Chile. This is an important challenge and has been evidenced given the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic ”- Alexis Kalergis, IMII director and UC academic
“It is important to bear in mind that this is not the first nor will it be the last pandemic, so as a country we must begin to work on implementing mechanisms for the development, manufacture and distribution of safe and high-quality vaccines in Chile,” concluded the Dr. Kalergis.