How A Small Chinese Biotech Is Taking On mRNA Vaccine Giants

Ex-Moderna Scientist's New Venture

Originated by a Suzhou-based biotech founded two years ago and now being jointly developed with WalVax, China’s first homegrown mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is now entering the final stages of development.

COVID-19 vaccine and chess pieces with medical concept.
CHINA'S ABOGEN TAKES ON PFIZER, MODERNA'S MRNA VACCINES • Source: Alamy

Announced by Mexico's foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard on 11 May, a China-developed mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 is now entering Phase III development in the country, which has been battling surging cases and new virus variants.

Mexico has already ordered other Chinese vaccines, including CoronaVac from Sinovac Biotech Ltd. and a similar inactivated virus-based vaccine...

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