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In May of 2022, the HKU medical research team collaborated with China National Biotec Group (Sinopharm) to conduct a large-scale clinical study on an Omicron-targeting COVID-19 vaccine. After 13 months of hard work, the study has finally been completed on 2 November 2023! HKU Clinical Trials Centre (HKU-CTC) was responsible for planning and managing the whole study which involved 1,800 volunteers. It was a real challenge to run such a large study within a tight timeframe. Extensive efforts were made to facilitate the study, including setting up a temporary research center at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre to accommodate the large group of volunteers. We also announced the study and invited participation across the city by all means, such as social media channels, press releases, newspaper/bus/minibus/MTR advertisements, and leaflet distribution. We sincerely thank all our volunteers for their tremendous support, and the research team for their unwavering efforts. Without the extensive support by the public, this remarkable goal could never be accomplished!

Available in Chinese only

Available in Chinese only

Available in Chinese only.

After four months of dedicated effort, we have successfully completed the recruitment of volunteers. Over 1800 individuals participated in this clinical study and received the investigational vaccine, surpassing the targeted number of participants. We will continue to gather data from the vaccine study and plan to conduct the final analysis by the end of 2022, with the aim of expediting the introduction of the Omicron COVID-19 vaccine.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who actively took part in this research as participants and to those who shared research information with their family and friends. Your tremendous support is highly appreciated, as it demonstrates your willingness to accompany us on this journey of vaccine development.

A medical research team from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) started a large-scale clinical trial on a new COVID-19 inactivated vaccine (Omicron variant). The study is led by Professor Ivan Hung, Chief of Division of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Professor of Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) and HKU Clinical Trials Centre (HKU-CTC) is responsible for coordination and technical support.

A press conference was held on 31st May, 2022 to share with the public more about the details of the clinical trial. Professor Ivan Hung, Dr. Kelvin To (Chairperson and Clinical Associate Professor of Department of Microbiology, HKUMed) and Mr. Henry Yau (Managing Director of HKU-CTC) were invited. For more details about the press conference, please visit: https://hku.hk/press/news_detail_24616.html

As thousands of volunteers are needed for this study, if you are interested to join, please register via the link below:
https://redcap.link/joinctc2298

Available in Chinese only.

Now News visited HKU Phase 1 Clinical Trials Centre earlier to produce a report on the process and progress of the phase 1 clinical trial of “VectorFlu ONE”. Here is the report by Now News (Chinese only):

The phase 1 clinical trial of VectorFlu^TM ONE, the world’s first COVID-19 nasal vaccine developed by the research team of HKU Department of Microbiology, has commenced in March 2021 at the HKU Phase 1 Clinical Trials Centre. About 115 healthy volunteers will be recruited to evaluate the safety and immune responses of the vaccine.

VectorFlu^TM ONE is the first novel vaccine that is developed by Hong Kong and goes into human trial. The phase 1 trial will last for around 1.5 years. Part 1 of the trial has commenced in March 2021, where about 30 volunteers have already received one or two vaccinations. Part 2 will begin in July 2021 and 85 volunteers will be recruited. We are still looking for more volunteers to join.

The recruitment of this study started in July 2020 and 52 healthy volunteers were recruited.  This clinical study consisted of 2 parts (fasted and fed), and each volunteer only joined either one part. The duration of each part was around 4-6 weeks, including screening, confinement and follow up visits.  Although the study process was slightly postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the genuine support from our volunteers and the effort of our HKU professional research team, the project was completed safely and efficiently in November 2020.