Top 10 COVID-19 Vaccine Candidates that You Should Know

Today, we are about to share with you the information about the Top 10 COVID-19 Vaccine Candidates that currently lead the race as of January 2021.

The COVID-19 virus continues its grip on the world rapidly. So, worldwide, the race to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 continues. Vaccines are one of the most effective tools to prevent infectious diseases. Also, during the current pandemic, vaccines are to fight against a deadly virus. So, the worldwide endeavor to create a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is succeeding.

By January 2021, 69 vaccine candidates were in clinical research. Among them, here are the top 10 leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates:

TOP 10: Sinopharm – BBIBP-CorV

In the 10th place on our list of the top 10 COVID-19 vaccine candidates is Sinopharm. It’s one of several Chinese firms conducting during the late-stage of a COVID-19 vaccine. Also, it’s an inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccine. Moreover, it may produce more than one billion doses in 2021.

Interestingly, the Sinopharm is China’s first home-grown vaccine against coronavirus. In addition, the country aims to inoculate 50 million people. This is before an expected travel rush ahead in Mid-February. Furthermore, Sinopharm announced the efficiency of the vaccine was 79.34%.

TOP 9: CoronaVac (Sinovac)

A Chinese company, Sinovac Biotech, developed and tested a candidate vaccine, CoronaVac. Sinovac’s mission is to supply vaccines to Eliminate Human Diseases. It’s also an inactivated vaccine for COVID-19. It uses aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant.

There are measurable outcomes of the three trials. This includes the titer of neutralizing antibodies and adverse effects. However, Brazil approved an efficacy rate of 65.3% for vaccines. Moreover, CoronaVac also uses similar technology as in BBIBP-CorV.

TOP 8: NVX-CoV2373 (Novavax)

Novavax is a biotechnical company. It develops next-generation vaccines for serious infectious diseases. So, it got together with Canada to supply NVX-CoV2373. It’s a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine contains purified protein antigen and can neither replicate nor can cause COVID-19. Besides, these vaccine-induced antibodies protect people from coronavirus.

TOP 7: JNJ-78436735 (Johnson & Johnson)

Johnson & Johnson is one of the world’s largest multinational corporations in New Jersey. It specializes in healthcare and pharmaceutical products. Accordingly, we can see promising updates about the vaccine that it is safe and efficient. But, the production was lagging.

In the beginning, Johnson & Johnson paused phase three trials. It’s due to an unexplained illness of a participant. Although they didn’t provide many details, the illnesses could be expected in large clinical studies. Participants who received a second dose had increased antibody levels. In the end, the trial is fully enrolled with 45000 participants. Certainly, it has shown some promising signs, especially with the immune responses.

TOP 6: Ad5-nCoV (CanSino Biologics)

In the 6th place on our list of the top 10 leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates as of January 2021 is CanSino Biologics’ Ad5Ad5-nCoV. CanSino Biologics is a Chinese biopharmaceutical company. The vaccine they created is a viral vector vaccine. Also, some health officials say this vaccine can be stored in less extreme cold conditions.

In addition, CanSino plans to produce 100 to 200 million vaccine doses annually. China and Mexico have already approved the vaccine for emergency use. China already has five home-grown candidates currently undergoing phase 3 trials. But, none have so far produced interim results.

TOP 5: BBV152 Covaxin (Bharat Biotech)

BBV152 Covaxin is an inactivated virus-based COVID-19 vaccine. Bharat Biotech, in collaboration with the Indian council, developed the vaccine. Bharat Biotech is a pioneering biotechnology company. It is known for its world-class R&D and manufacturing capabilities. In addition, their mission is to deliver affordable, safe, and high-quality vaccines. And also provide bio-therapeutics that help people prevail over diseases.

Covaxin is the first Indian indigenous vaccine. During the first two stages, the participants developed more than 90% antibodies against COVID-19. The vaccine candidate is expected to have an efficiency of around 60%. This destroys the pathogen’s ability to replicate but keeps it intact. So the immune system can recognize it and produce an immune response.

TOP 4: Sputnik V (Gamaleya)

Russia was the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine officially. The vaccine is named ‘Sputnik V’. Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute developed the vaccine. So, Russia is fourth on the list of vaccine makers. Gam-COVID-Vac is a viral two-vector vaccine.

Moreover, the recombinant adenovirus types 26 and 5 are both used as vectors in this vaccine. They derived biotechnology and contain SARS-CoV2s protein DNA. In addition, the vaccine was formulated as frozen and freeze-dried. The storage temperature is 2-8 degrees celsius for dosage forms.

TOP 3: AstraZeneca AZD1222 (Oxford)

Oxford University and British company AstraZeneca developed the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Its code name is AZD1222. It works through non-replicating viral vectors. It means the vaccine doesn’t contain the actual coronavirus. But rather a dead or weakened virus with genetic material from the coronavirus. It’s huge news for the developing world. This is because it’s cheaper and easier to handle and store.

The UK was the first country to allow the use of the vaccine. Also, trials are ongoing in the US and multiple other countries. Still, AstraZeneca hopes not to make a profit during the pandemic. As a result, it costs only $3 to $4 per dose worldwide. The approval of this vaccine is definitely a turning point for the pandemic.

TOP 2: mRNA-1273 (Moderna)

The combination of NIAID, BARDA, and Moderna developed the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Its code name is mRNA-1273 which is an RNA vaccine. It is composed of nucleoside-modified mRNA that encodes a spike protein of SARS-COV2s. So, it is encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles. Once inside a human cell, the mRNA links up with the cell’s endoplasmic reticulum.

This cell makes a specific protein that can also be found outside the coronavirus. After that, the spike is expelled from the cell. At this time, this spike is detected by cells that are part of our immune system. Then, the system starts to make antibodies, but this takes some. The vaccine also contains lipids, tromethamine, acetic acid, sodium acetate, sucrose, and RNA.

TOP 1: BioNTech (Pfizer)

We included Pfizer’s BioNTech at the top of our list, leading the top 10 COVID-19 vaccine candidates as of January 2021. BioNTech, in cooperation with Pfizer, is the developer of this vaccine. It is the first COVID-19 vaccine to be authorized for emergency use and the first to be cleared for regular use.

The vaccine contains the active ingredient, tozinameran. It is with RNA similar to the Moderna vaccine. Also, it encodes a mutated form of the spike protein of SARS-CoV2s. The lipid nanoparticles encapsulate this spike protein. In addition to the mRNA molecule, the vaccine contains other excipients such as ALC-0315, ALC-0159, Cholesterol Sucrose, etc.

More than 30 biotech and pharmaceutical companies worldwide are racing to develop a safe and approved COVID-19 vaccine. The process is moving quickly, with several vaccine candidates entering late-stage trials in a matter of months. So, today, we listed all these top 10 COVID-19 vaccine candidates as of January 2021 for your information.

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