UAE to begin Phase III trials of Russian Covid-19 vaccine

The UAE has commenced Phase III clinical trials of a Russian adenovirus-based Covid-19 vaccine, officials confirmed on Monday, October 12.

Volunteers for the UAE trial will be medically supervised for 90 days after being administered the vaccine.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) – Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, is partnering with Aurugulf Health Investment for the UAE trials.

“The UAE has demonstrated one of the most advanced approaches in the world to combat the coronavirus pandemic. We are pleased to commence the trials and we look forward to announcing in due course the registration process for volunteers,” said RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev.

“As part of the Phase III trials of the vaccine, we are planning to expand in several other countries over the coming months, and we are delighted that Abu Dhabi will be the first place in which we do so in the Middle East,” added Dmitriev.

Phase III trials for the Russian adenovirus-based vaccine are to commence in #UAE. The UAE clinical trials will be conducted by @DoHSocial, supervised by @mohapuae, with medical protocols handled by @SEHAHealth. pic.twitter.com/KzAoGyvaHZ

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) October 12, 2020

The vaccine is developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.

The trials are being conducted by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, under the supervision of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, with medical protocols handled by the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company SEHA.

The UAE trials are part of the Phase III trials of the same vaccine currently underway in Russia and other countries too. The results from the UAE will be combined with that of volunteers in the other countries, with interim results of the overall success of the vaccine expected to be available before the end of November.

Results from the first two stages of the trial, published in medical journal The Lancet, showed a stable humoral and cellular immune response had been achieved in 100 per cent of volunteers, with no serious adverse events recorded, reported news agency WAM.

“The UAE is committed to the global fight against Covid-19. We are pleased to support this process and welcome partnerships between UAE organisations and international players to enable promising solutions and progress,” said Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed Al Hamed, chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.

“Hosting a second Phase III COVID-19 vaccine trials in Abu Dhabi reaffirms our enduring commitment to collaborating on global solutions to the challenges this pandemic has presented,” stated Al Hamed.

Earlier this year the UAE already began Phase III trials of another Covid-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sinopharm CNBG. Over 31,000 volunteers signed up for that trial and in September, the government authorised the emergency use of the vaccine for frontline staff across the country.

Read: UAE’s Phase III Covid-19 vaccine trial receives over 31,000 volunteers; registrations closed