(Yicai Global) Nov. 5 -- AstraZeneca and Kangtai Biological Products have agreed to start Phase I and II clinical trials of the UK drugmaker’s Covid-19 vaccine in China this year, The Paper reported. The partners are expected to apply to market the vaccine in the country after Phase III trials next year.

AstraZeneca, which co-developed the vaccine with Oxford University, held an unveiling ceremony for the vaccine’s Guangming production base at the third China International Import Expo in Shanghai today.

Cambridge-based AstraZeneca announced an exclusive deal with Kangtai on Aug. 6 to promote the research and development, production, supply and commercialization of the adenovirus vector coronavirus vaccine AZD1222 in the Chinese mainland.

Under the deal, Kangtai will aim for annual output of at least 100 million doses by the end of this year, and 200 million by the end of 2020 to meet China’s needs.

One person died during the vaccine’s development process, a 28-year-old Brazilian doctor who volunteered for a clinical trial, the country’s health authority said on Oct. 21. He had received a placebo instead of the experimental vaccine, according to a report by Brazilian newspaper Globo.

Shares of Kangtai [SHE: 300601] closed 0.9 percent lower today at CNY170.7 (USD25.70) apiece.

Editor: Tom Litting