The National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) has achieved a breakthrough in its development of an enterovirus 71 (EV-71) vaccine that can efficiently generate antibodies in humans, a member of the research team said on Tuesday.
In the first phase of the clinical trials that will be completed by the end of this year, the vaccine produced more than 600 times the normal level of antibodies in adults, said Su Ih-jen (蘇益仁), head of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology.
Su said the next phase would be to test the vaccine in various age groups next year to determine how many doses are needed to resist the virus.
Phase III will be carried out at several medical centers in different countries, with the aim of finding out how much protection the vaccine can provide against EV-71 infection, he said.
The EV-71 vaccine will be considered effective if it can generate 80 to 90 percent protection, he said.
Enterovirus 71 is the most virulent strain of enterovirus. It is found in Taiwan, China and several other Asian countries.
Although Taiwan began development of an EV-71 vaccine earlier than China, Chinese researchers completed the Phase I trials before Taiwan, Su said.
The Taiwanese team has applied for seven international certificates and is optimistic about being able to offer the vaccine domestically and internationally, he said.
The NHRI has signed nonexclusive patent license agreements with Adimmune Corp and Medigen Biotechnology Corp and will transfer the technology to the two firms as the first step to entering the international market.
The institute is in partnership discussions with another biotech firm, United Biomedical.
Separately, the institute said it had also made substantial progress in the development of a vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis and would start looking for international partners by the end of this year to promote joint research and development.
As of last month, the Centers for Disease Control had confirmed three cases of severe enterovirus so far this year, all of which were EV-71 infections. One of the cases was fatal.
The nation’s first outbreak of EV-71 in 1998 killed 78 children.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS