Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Germany's BioNTech announced their partnered mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use in the UK, the first acceptance of a coronavirus vaccine in the west. Earlier, the vaccine was shown to be 95% effective in a large Phase II/III trial that enrolled 44,000 volunteers. Last month, Shanghai Fosun Pharma (SHA: 600196; HK: 02196), which partners China rights to the candidate with BioNTech, started a Phase II bridging trial to determine whether China volunteers respond similarly to the vaccine as people in the west.

Fosun's China bridging trial enrolled 960 China individuals between the ages of 18 and 85, with 75% receiving the vaccine. The endpoint will be humoral immune responses one month after administration of the second dose of BNT162b2. The two shots are administered one month apart, implying it will take at least two months from the last patient entering the trial before data can be developed.

In March, Fosun partnered the mRNA vaccine with BioNTech in a deal worth up to $135 million, which included a $50 million Fosun investment in BioNTech.

The China Phase II trial will specifically examine seroconversion rates and the geometric mean titer of SARS-CoV-2 serum neutralizing titers. It will also report on the safety and tolerability of the vaccine seven and 14 days after each vaccination.

“The Phase II clinical study with BNT162b2 in China will not only provide key data for the launch of the vaccine in China, but also may play a positive role in the widespread promotion and use of the vaccine throughout Asia and around the world,” Aimin Hui, MD, PhD, chief medical officer at Fosun, said in a statement. 

The UK initially ordered 40 million doses of the vaccine, enough to treat 20 million people. Initial shipments are expected to begin next week.

See our other articles on Fosun Pharma and BioNTech.

Disclosure: none.