Clover Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (HKEX:02197), a China-based commercial-stage biotechnology company, announced on Monday that the first participants have been enrolled in a Phase 2 clinical trial of SCB-1022 (RSV + hMPV) and SCB-1033 (RSV + hMPV + PIV3) protein-based vaccine candidates in Australia.

The products are based on prefusion-stabilised F (PreF)-Trimer subunit vaccine antigens using Clover's validated Trimer-Tag vaccine technology platform.

The randomised, observer-blinded, multi-centre study will enrol up to 420 older adults (60-85 years) in Australia, and the participants will be randomised to receive either SCB-1022 (RSV + hMPV), SCB-1033 (RSV + hMPV + PIV3) or placebo. The study will assess safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity.

Joshua Liang, Clover chief executive officer and board director, said: "The initiation of this Phase 2 trial for our respiratory combination vaccine candidates SCB-1022 (RSV + hMPV) and SCB-1033 (RSV + hMPV + PIV3) further strengthens our global first-in-class potential. This milestone builds upon our recent Phase 1 data indicating potential best-in-class RSV+hMPV PIV3 combination vaccines with the potential ability to re-vaccinate individuals previously receiving approved RSV vaccines to restore and broaden protection, addressing multiple significant unmet needs globally."