Philippines invited to global clinical trial for COVID-19 vaccine by Chinese pharma

The Philippines has received an invitation from China to participate in a global clinical trial for a possible vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Wednesday.

Duque said the offer was made by the Sinopharm Group, the biggest pharmaceutical company in China.

According to a 24 Oras report by Vonne Aquino, the health chief did not yet confirm if the offer has been accepted by the Philippine government.

“Meron na pong sulat sa atin ang China… nag-alok na isama tayo sa kanilang global clinical trial for their newly developed vaccine,” Duque said in a Senate hearing on COVID-19.

“Meron na po silang na-develop na vaccine e, pero ito po ay kinakailangang sumailalim sa mga clinical trials para masiguro po ang safety and efficacy,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier shared “good news” about Chinese researchers’ progress in developing a vaccine for COVID-19, telling Filipinos to “stay alive” until it is released in 2021.  —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News