A member of the research team is seen at work. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Q: Will we gain more market approvals beyond China to make greater contribution to the global battle against COVID-19?
Zhang: We're not only aiming at serving Chinese people but also people around the world. It is an international cooperation project.
After entering the phase one clinical trial in China, we conducted phase two and phase three clinical trials in areas with high COVID-19 prevalence as the epidemic had been basically brought under control in China.
We participated in a global trial program sponsored by the US National Institutes of Health. And we earned a high score among global competitors.
So we were able to conduct phase two and phase three clinical trials in 111 clinical trial sites in six countries.
Trial data found the therapy could reduce the rate of hospitalization and death of high-risk patients by about 80 percent.
On Dec 8, we were granted emergency approval by China's National Medical Products Administration.
At the same time, we have contacted the US Food and Drug Administration. We expect to gain US' FDA approval in the near future.
Many countries have already contacted us and expressed their wishes to use our therapy.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
