(Yicai Global) March 7 -- The world’s first inhalation-based Covid-19 vaccine is now in third-phase clinical trials, Beijing Daily reported today, citing the chief scientist of Chinese vaccine maker CanSino Biologics.

The Convidecia nasal spray vaccine, which is needle-free and does not need to be stored in special bottles or at ultra-low temperatures, has started partial third-phase tests, Zhu Tao said yesterday. It completed first and second stage clinical trials last year and is applying for emergency use in China.

The inhalation-based vaccine uses the same formula as CanSino’s recombinant coronavirus jab and is atomized by a special device for nebulized inhalation, which is less painful than traditional intramuscular injections and more conducive to mass distribution. It is also directly introduced into the respiratory tract, the area of the body targeted by the novel coronavirus, and can bring about triple protection in the form of mucosal, humoral and cellular immunity, the report said.

The nasal spray vaccine only needs one-fifth of a regular dose to stimulate immunity, Chairman Yu Xuefeng said earlier. This means Tianjin-based CanSino’s production capacity will quintuple the moment the inhaled vaccines are permitted to go to market.

CanSino Biologics’ share price [SHA:688185] closed up 1.7 percent at CNY241.60 (USD38.20) today.

Editor: Kim Taylor