TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corporation (MVC) will conduct clinical trials for its COVID-19 vaccine in Taiwan’s diplomatic ally Paraguay, reports said Tuesday (June 15).
The Taiwanese company announced on June 9 that phase two trials had been completed and that it was applying for emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
On Tuesday, Mirror Media revealed the existence of what it said was a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on May 12 between Medigen and the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM) at the National University of Asunción (UNA) in the Paraguayan capital allowing phase 3 clinical trials for the vaccine.
“FCM is interested in organizing and executing MVC’s COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials in Paraguay,” Mirror Media quoted the document as saying. The signing of a further agreement is necessary to work out the details, the report added.
The MOU was the result of an April 22 video conference between top officials at Medigen and FCM, arranged with the assistance of Taiwan’s mission in Paraguay, according to the Mirror Media report. Relevant documents for the tests have been submitted to the authorities in the South American country, allowing them to be completed by the end of the year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Taiwan has always encouraged cooperation between local companies and the country’s diplomatic allies, CNA reported. It expressed optimism about the plans for a venture between Medigen and Paraguay, adding that it would continue to provide the necessary assistance.
Once domestic vaccine production is up and running, Taiwan will also help its diplomatic allies to help fight the pandemic, MOFA said.
