AstraZeneca is working on COVID-19 vaccine

By Zhang Rui
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, November 11, 2020
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Michael Lai, general manager of AstraZeneca China, attends an event during the 3rd China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. [Photo courtesy of AstraZeneca China]

A top executive of the global medicine giant AstraZeneca told China.org.cn that the company has joined the battle against COVID-19 in several ways, including developing a vaccine, as the company strives for more innovations and development to help patients in China and around the world.

Working on COVID-19 solutions

"We are working with our partner Kangtai Biological to develop, produce and commercialize the vaccine candidate in China," said Michael Lai, general manager of AstraZeneca China, at the 3rd China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai on Tuesday.

The top executive admitted the pandemic has created challenges for many companies this year, but he and his AstraZeneca colleagues think that even with these challenges, there are also many opportunities that have risen during the pandemic. "This year, AstraZeneca was one of the first companies to join the pandemic effort locally through donations and also through building education and collaborative discussion between Chinese experts and international experts," he said.

At its booth, AstraZeneca is exhibiting the COVID-19 Nebulization Safety Cabin, built with environmentally friendly materials. The cabin, which has independent space and a smart pad displaying disease education animation, can effectively prevent the risk of cross-infection and provides patients with a smart, safe, sterilized, and environmentally friendly nebulization solution. Another exhibit is the NanoSPR Handheld Detector + SARS-CoV-2 Virus Particle Antigen Test Kit (COVID-19). Compared with traditional nucleic acid detection methods, the kit can deliver results within 15 minutes. It can also detect antigen and antibody indicators from asymptomatic carriers to recovered patients. 

Lai told China.org.cn that they are doing a lot in their innovation center to meet patients' needs following the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, AstraZeneca has built 4,700 Smart Nebulization Centers in hospitals across China with more than 15,000 nebulization rooms, and 1,400 pediatric nebulization rooms along the Belt and Road. "With closed compartments for nebulization called the Safety Neb Room, patients can have a safer experience while receiving treatments," he introduced.

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