(Yicai Global) May 15 -- China is on track to complete Phase II clinical trials of its first batch of potential coronavirus vaccines in July, putting the country ahead in the global race to provide immunity to SARS-CoV-2, a senior health official said.

The studies include one recombinant adenovirus vector vaccine and four inactivated vaccines, or those that use a killed form of the virus, Zeng Yixin, deputy director of the National Health Commission, said at a news conference today.

So far, 2,575 healthy volunteers have been inoculated with the shots with no major adverse reactions, he said. Some 539 took place in Phase I and 2,036 in Phase II. To speed up the testing process the two stages are being conducted simultaneously as permitted by the National Medical Products Administration.

Phase I trials have gathered preliminary data on the safe and effective production of antibodies in the volunteers, Zeng said. Phase II trials are verifying the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines.

More projects are expected to be approved for clinical trial next month, he added.

Editor: Kim Taylor