Chinese scientists have reported significant improvement in vaccine research and development. A leading researcher cites the example of an anti-SARS vaccine, developed in just nine months, to explain what's behind the success of the independent work.

In the past, almost all vaccines manufactured in China modeled western countries' products. But the situation has changed greatly as far as an anti-SARS vaccine is concerned. Project Manager Yin Weidong says it's the first anti-SARS vaccine developed in China and first ever used in clinical tests in the world.

"This shows China's vaccine research and development has caught up with international levels."

For the first phase of clinical testing, scientists will select 30 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 40 to be inoculated. The second phase will include more participants from a wider age bracket.

Actually, China has been researching an anti-SARS vaccine since April of last year, when the SARS outbreak was at a peak time. Enterprises composed the main-body of research. Boundaries between different organizations and industries were broken and all kinds of resources were integrated. In addition, the research period has been greatly shortened by combining research projects.

Yin Weidong says China's vaccine research and production ability has improved as a result of the intensive studies on SARS.

"The approval for clinical testing of the anti-SARS vaccine proves that China now has a quick and efficient vaccine research system. We can quickly develop new vaccines if new diseases arise."

As a matter of fact, in vaccine research, China has greatly improved quality standardization, coordination and the rate of development.

(CRI February 16, 2004)