Sinopharm BIBP COVID-19 vaccine
The Sinopharm BIBP COVID-19 vaccine, also known as BBIBP-CorV,[2] the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine,[3] or BIBP vaccine,[3][4][5] is one of two whole inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccines developed by Sinopharm's Beijing Institute of Biological Products (sometimes written as Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products,[6] resulting in the two different acronyms BBIBP and BIBP for the same vaccine). It completed Phase III trials in Argentina, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with over 60,000 participants.[7] BBIBP-CorV shares similar technology with CoronaVac and Covaxin, other inactivated virus vaccines for COVID-19.[8][9] Its product name is SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell),[10][11][12] not to be confused with the similar product name of CoronaVac.[13][14]
For other uses, see Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine.Vaccine description
Zhong'aikewei (Chinese: 众爱可维), Hayat-Vax
- BR: Emergency use (COVAX)[1]
- Full list of Sinopharm BIBP authorizations
Peer-reviewed results published in JAMA of Phase III trials in United Arab Emirates and Bahrain showed that the vaccine is 78.1% effective against symptomatic cases and 100% against severe cases (21 cases in vaccinated group vs. 95 cases in placebo group).[15] In December 2020, the UAE previously announced interim results showing 86% efficacy.[16]
While mRNA vaccines like the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine showed higher efficacy of over 90%, those present distribution challenges for some nations as they require deep-freeze facilities and trucks. The BIBP vaccine could be transported and stored at normal refrigerated temperatures.[17]
The vaccine is being used in vaccination campaigns by certain countries in Asia,[18][19][20] Africa,[21][22][23] South America,[24][25][26] and Europe.[27][28][29] Sinopharm expects to produce one billion doses of the vaccine in 2021.[30] By May, Sinopharm had supplied 200 million doses.[31]
On 7 May 2021, the World Health Organization approved the BIBP vaccine for use in COVAX.[32][33] Sinopharm has signed purchase agreements for 170 million doses from COVAX.[34]
The similarly named Sinopharm WIBP COVID-19 vaccine is also an inactivated virus vaccine.
Manufacturing
As an inactivated vaccine like CoronaVac and Covaxin, the BIBP vaccine uses a more traditional technology[8] that is similar to the inactivated polio vaccine. Initially, a sample of SARS-CoV-2 strain 19nCoV-CDC-Tan-HB02 (HB02) from China capable of rapid multiplication was chosen.[54] Then, it was used to grow large quantities of the virus using vero cells. From then on, the viruses are soaked in beta-propiolactone, which deactivates them by binding to their genes, while leaving other viral particles intact. The resulting inactivated viruses are then mixed with the adjuvant aluminium hydroxide.[9][38]
Sinopharm's Chairman Yang Xioyun has said the company could produce one billion doses in 2021.[30]
In March 2021, Sinopharm and Abu Dhabi G42 announced plans to produce up to 200 million doses annually in the UAE at a new plant to become operational in 2021. The vaccine will be branded Hayat-Vax.[55]
In December 2020, Egypt announced an agreement between Sinopharm and Egypt's VACSERA for the vaccine to be manufactured locally.[56]
In March 2021, Serbia announced plans to produce 24 million doses of the BIBP vaccine annually starting in October.[57]
In April 2021, Bangladesh approved local production of the BIBP vaccine.[58]
In July 2021, Morocco's Société Thérapeutique Marocaine announced it would produce 5 million doses a month.[59]
In November 2021, Sinopharm announced that it will build a sterile bottling plant in Singapore to enhance the distribution of the vaccine.[60]