Asian Tech Press (Sep 14) -- A research team led by Nagasaki University has begun clinical trials in Japan for a COVID-19 recombinant vaccine developed by China's Sichuan University, NHK reported Tuesday.

According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, this is the first time a vaccine developed by China has been subject to clinical trials in Japan.

Previously, Nagasaki University, together with the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster (KBIC), had been preparing the necessary procedures before the clinical trial, which was approved by Japan's PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency) in the middle of last month.

The first phase of the clinical trial began late last month, with 240 healthy volunteers enrolled and given the vaccine to check its safety and efficacy.