The leader in China's homegrown mRNA COVID-19 vaccine effort expects a delay to key Phase III results, with analysts now expecting to see figures from the international portion of the study in early 2022.

Everest Medicines’ deal with Canadian biotech Providence Therapeutics contains a full transfer of technology which may be appealing to Chinese regulators.

After immuno-oncology, mRNA is fast becoming a hot area in China as a flurry of biotechs from I-Mab to Kangtai partner with a little-known developer.

Additional Chinese coronavirus vaccine makers are now building up capacity, with Beijing-based AIM Vaccine preparing for a 400 million dose per year production capability for mRNA vaccines, while Chengdu-based Clover is to supply up to 414 million doses of its vaccines to GAVI.