Convidecia
AD5-nCOV, trade-named Convidecia, is a single-dose[1] viral vector vaccine for COVID-19 that is also used as an inhaled booster. It was developed by CanSino Biologics, with Phase III trials conducted in Argentina,[2] Chile,[3] Mexico,[4] Pakistan,[5] Russia,[6] and Saudi Arabia[7] with 40,000 participants.
In February 2021, global data from Phase III trials and 101 COVID cases showed that the intramuscular version of the vaccine had a 65.7% efficacy in preventing moderate symptoms of COVID-19, and 91% efficacy in preventing severe disease.[8] It has similar efficacy to the Janssen vaccine, another one-shot adenovirus vector vaccine with 66% efficacy in a global trial.[9][1] Convidecia is similar to other viral vector vaccines like AZD1222, Gam-COVID-Vac, and Ad26.COV2.S.[10] Its single-dose regimen and normal refrigerator storage requirement (2° to 8 °C) could make it a favorable vaccine option for many countries.[9] It is currently under evaluation for emergency use listing by the WHO.[11] On May 19 2022, WHO issued EUL for the vaccine.[12]
A Phase I study published in The Lancet showed two doses of a nebulised version of Convidecia (inhaled through the mouth) resulted in neutralising antibody responses similar to the existing one-dose injection.[13]
Convidecia and the Pakistani version called PakVac are approved for use by some countries in Asia,[14][15][16] Europe,[17][18] and Latin America.[19][20][21] Production capacity for Ad5-NCov should reach 500 million doses in 2021. Manufacturing will take place in China,[22] with filling and finishing of the vaccine additionally also taking place in Malaysia,[16] Mexico,[23] and Pakistan.[24]
Efficacy[edit]
In February 2021, data released from an interim analysis of Phase III trials with 30,000 participants and 101 COVID cases showed that globally, the vaccine administered as an intramuscular injection had an efficacy of 65.7% at preventing moderate cases of COVID-19 and 90.98% efficacy at preventing severe cases. In the Pakistan trial subset, the vaccine had an efficacy of 74.8% at preventing symptomatic cases, and 100% for preventing severe disease.[8]
While the efficacy rates were lower than the Pfizer–BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, its single-dose regimen and normal refrigerator storage requirement (2 to 8 °C) could make it a favorable option for many countries. It has similar efficacy to the Janssen vaccine, another one-shot adenovirus vaccine found to be 66% effective in a global trial.[9][1]
Pharmacology[edit]
Convidecia is a viral vector vaccine similar to AstraZeneca's AZD1222 and Gamaleya's Gam-COVID-Vac.[10]
Manufacturing[edit]
Ad5-nCOV can be stored in less extreme cold conditions compared to mRNA vaccines.[25][9]
In February, Chen Wei, who lead the development of the vaccine, said annual production capacity for Ad5-NCov could reach 500 million doses in 2021.[22]
In February, Mexico received the first batch of active ingredients for Convidecia, which is being filled and finished in Querétaro by Drugmex.[23]
In Malaysia, filling and finishing of the vaccine for distribution would be completed by Solution Biologics.[16]
In May, Pakistan began filling and finishing 3 million doses a month at the National Institute of Health, which would be branded as PakVac for domestic distribution.[26]
If the vaccine is approved in Russia, Petrovax said it has the ability to fill and finish 4 million doses per month to start with, eventually reaching a target of 10 million doses a month in 2021.[27] The company eventually hopes to build a plant within 3 years to manufacture Convidecia in Russia.[28]
Economics[edit]
Americas[edit]
In December 2020, Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard signed an agreement for 35 million doses.[56] Mexico received active ingredients for 2 million doses with a total of 6 million doses expected to arrive in February.[19]
In June 2021, Argentina approved emergency use of the vaccine and ordered 5.4 million doses.[20]
In October 2021, Brazil's Bionn SA signed a deal to distribute the vaccine in Brazil, which included producing the vaccine domestically.[57]
In March, Chile signed a deal for 1.8 million doses for delivery between May and June,[58] for which emergency use approval was granted in April.[21]
In June, Ecuador approved emergency use and ordered 6 million doses for delivery between June and August 2021.[59]
Asia[edit]
In October 2020, Indonesia reached an agreement with CanSino to deliver 100,000 doses in November 2020, with the expectation that an additional 15 to 20 million doses would be delivered in 2021.[60]
In February 2021, Malaysia's Solution Biologics agreed to supply 3.5 million Convidecia doses to the government.[61] The doses would be delivered starting in April with 500,000 complete doses, with the rest in bulk to be finished by Solution Biologics.[16]
In February 2021, Pakistan purchased 20 million doses of the vaccine[15] of which the first 3 million doses were to arrive in May.[15]
In June 2021, Malaysia's coordinating minister for COVID-19 Immunisation, Khairy Jamaluddin, confirmed refugee communities in Malaysia would receive the vaccine; with the first shipment due to arrive in late July.[62] By 19 September 2021, more than 70,000 people in Malaysia had received the Convidecia vaccine. The COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force has prioritised the single-dose vaccine for communities living in remote areas including the Orang Asli as well as the homeless and undocumented individuals. Priority states for the CanSino vaccine included Sabah, Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perak, Sabah, and Terengganu.[63]