Designation as an Advanced Collective of Guangdong Province in the Fight Against COVID-19 was recently awarded Zhuhai Lifanda Biotechnology by the provincial Party committee and government.

Lifanda specializes in the R&D of mRNA technology and is located in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Science & Technology Industrial Park of Cooperation Between Guangdong & Macao in Hengqin New Area.

Since Jan 22, the Lifanda staff has concentrated on developing an mRNA vaccine to treat the novel coronavirus. On Feb 1, the vaccine was sent to national authorities for animal experiments and tests for pharmaceutical effects.

First batch of Lifanda Biotechnology mRNA vaccine targeting COVID-19 [Photo provided by Zhuhai Lifanda Biotechnology to Guanhai App]

The quality of the clinical mRNA vaccine sample has been verified by the National Institutes for Food & Drug Control. Animal experiments are nearly completed and application is being made for clinical trials. Meanwhile, Lifanda has joined the strategic alliance of Zhong Nanshan's team of the Guangzhou Institute of Repertory Health to develop and industrialize the vaccine.

The mRNA vaccine is reportedly safer, longer-acting, and easier to produce than traditional vaccines, making it more suitable to tackle the outbreak of infectious diseases. The antibody generated after an injection of the mRNA vaccine enfolds the spike (S) protein of the novel coronavirus and prevents it from binding to receptors on host cells, explained Peng Yucai, founder and chairman of Lifanda Biotechnology.

As of now, the company has applied for multiple invention patents in drug design and production and preparation delivery, of which the one pertaining to the mRNA vaccine targeting COVID-19 has been authorized.

Founded in June 2019, the enterprise began operating its 1,200-sqm (1/3rd-acre) R&D base at the TCM park in July. Renovation and furnishing of the offices, labs, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) workshops had been completed in half a year, and 5 million yuan ($755,500) was spent on lab and manufacturing equipment. The first lyophilized powder products already have been produced.