By Fineline Cube 
China-based Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise Co., Ltd (SHA: 603392) has announced the initiation of a Phase III clinical trial for its self – developed freeze – dried live attenuated varicella vaccine, VZV – 7D, with the first participant successfully enrolled.
Vaccine Mechanism
VZV – 7D induces immunity against the varicella – zoster virus (VZV) to prevent chickenpox. The vaccine uses a reverse genetics – engineered recombinant varicella zoster virus strain with defective ORF7 virulence gene expression. This innovative design ensures it neither infects the skin to cause chickenpox nor reactivates to cause herpes zoster through neural latency, enhancing its safety profile.
Clinical Trial Design
The Phase III study focuses on evaluating the protective efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of VZV – 7D in children aged 1 – 12 years.-Fineline Info & Tech