Janssen Pharma Kicks off Third Phase Clinical Trials in PH

Belgium-based pharmaceutical company Janssen Pharmaceuticals started the third phase of its clinical trials in the Philippines according to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Trials include patient screening, recruitment and vaccination according to DOST.

With the vaccination in the whole world imminent, Janssen is one of the three government-approved foreign vaccine manufacturers to perform clinical trials for the success of the vaccination. Chinese Pharmaceutical firms Clover Biopharmaceuticals and Sinovac are the other two foreign vaccine manufacturers who have granted approval for clinical trials.

Meanwhile, India-based Bharat Biotech is currently completing all the requirements for them to start the clinical trials as well. However, AstraZeneca also applied for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said that these foreign companies who have applied for clinical trials will be assessed and reviewed health and vaccine experts and the ethics board as well. (MLC)