China's first independently developed mpox vaccine has received approval for clinical trials from the country's State Food and Drug Administration on Monday, the Shanghai Institute of Biological Products announced.
The live-attenuated MVA mpox vaccine was developed by the Shanghai Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., which is run by the China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation, commonly referred to as Sinopharm.
According to a statement published by the company, the vaccine is expected to play an important role in the prevention and control of diseases caused by the mpox virus in China.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that is potentially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. The infection is accompanied by fever, intoxication, enlargement of the lymph nodes, and subsequent spread of the rash – first in the form of spots that turn into vesicles, after which ulcers form, after which they heal – crusts, and when they fall off – scars. With a mild course, the disease usually disappears on its own and lasts from 14 to 21 days.