Chinese biotech startup Stemirna Therapeutics has received an Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) from the FDA for its proprietary COVID-19 mRNA vaccine under the Ministry of Health of the Laos People's Democratic Republic.

Specialised mRNA technology-based drug development, Stemirna claims that its mRNA vaccine can prevent infection from the coronavirus through active immunisation.

This is China's first such vaccine of its kind to be approved in Laos and the country's first mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 variants to be granted an EUA.

Stemirna's COVID-19 mRNA vaccine was developed and designed to provide protection against several variants that contain the D614G mutation and that are currently prevalent worldwide, including Delta and Omicron. 

The vaccine is stable when kept at a temperature of minus 20(±5) degrees celsius and remains effective for up to 24 months from the date of manufacture.

Stemirna's EUA from the Laos Food and Drug Department for its COVID-19 mRNA vaccine demonstrates that the Chinese mRNA vaccine manufacturer has gained access to the international market. 

At the same time, to further promote the economic growth of the two countries in tandem with facilitating technology exchanges and collaborations, Stemirna has purchased some land in Laos and started the construction of a vaccine manufacturing facility on the parcel with a planned annual capacity of 20 million doses.

This is not only the firm's first vaccine production facility outside of the home market in China but also the first of its kind in Laos.