Brazil’s homegrown Butanvac trials to begin in June; 6 countries intend to import vaccine – state governor

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – São Paulo governor João Doria (PSDB) on Monday, June 14, said that clinical trials of the Butanvac vaccine, an immunizer against Covid-19 developed by the Butantan Institute, should begin by the end of June and that there are now 6 Latin American countries interested in its importation, should it be approved by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) after trials are completed.

Last week, Brazil’s health regulator authorized the Butanvac clinical trials to begin. At this stage, the immunizer – which has undergone laboratory tests – will be administered to humans.

According to Doria, trials should begin by the end of June, starting in the city of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, through the University of São Paulo (USP).

Butanvac is one of the vaccines being developed by Brazil. Other immunizers are also being tested in Brazilian federal universities, but they are struggling with budget shortages. Brazilian vaccines are an effort to tackle the potential need to revaccinate the entire Brazilian population against Covid-19 next year.

According to Doria, the three clinical trial phases should be completed in 120 days. After that, the data will be submitted to a new evaluation by ANVISA. There are now 7 million Butanvac vaccines produced and stocked. Another 18 million will be completed by July 31, according to the governor, and 40 million by October 30.

“As soon as ANVISA grants approval, São Paulo will be in a position to provide 40 million doses. Either to complete the vaccination schedule in Brazil, or for the vaccination of the new stage, the 2022 stage, when we will need vaccines again,” said Doria, after an event to launch a program to distribute pads in schools.

The governor also said that the Butanvac will be offered to bolster the National Immunization Plan (PNI) should the Ministry of Health so wish. “If it does not want to, São Paulo will use it in its own vaccination plan and will also export it. Six Latin American countries have already sent requests to Butantan. As soon as we secure approval, they are interested in the acquisition, targeting a new vaccination process next year.” Doria did not detail which 6 countries are interested in the immunizer.

According to the governor, “several states and cities” have also expressed interest in purchasing the Butanvac, should it prove effective. Among states, there are 8 interested. The Butanvac will cost R$10 (US$1.98) per dose, one-fourth of the price of the Coronavac, the immunizer developed by Chinese Sinovac pharmaceutical company in partnership with  Butantan.

Source: Estadão