A Canadian biopharmaceutical company will receive government funding to supply up to 76 million doses of a potential coronavirus vaccine by the end of 2021, its Japanese affiliate said Monday.

Medicago Inc., an affiliate of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp., entered an agreement with the Canadian government to receive 173 million Canadian dollars ($131.5 million) for the development of a plant-derived vaccine and the establishment of a vaccine manufacturing facility, according to the press release.

The Quebec-based firm began clinical trials for the vaccines in July on around 180 men and women aged 18 to 55, with results expected to be announced in the near future.

It is planning to increase the number of participants and enter the second stage of testing in November. The firm will begin the third phase of trials in December.

There are no clinical trials currently being conducted in Japan.

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, a subsidiary of Japanese chemical manufacturer Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp., will consider its options based on the results of its Canadian unit.

==Kyodo

© Kyodo News International, Inc., source Newswire