The final phase of the clinical trial for a Covid-19 antibody developed by Singapore biotechnology company Tychan began on 11 December.

Taking samples for Covid-19 tests in June (Source: AFP/VNA)

The antibody can potentially help patients with the coronavirus to recover faster, while slowing the progression of the infection.

Some 1,305 patients who have tested positive for the virus will take part voluntarily in the clinical trials.

If the clinical trials are successful, the antibody will be submitted for review by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and other regulatory agencies as a new drug.

In October, HSA gave Tychan the green light to start final-stage trials.

A six-week phase one trial in June with 23 healthy volunteers yielded good outcomes in terms of safety, said Tychan co-founder Ooi Eng Eong.

Singapore has recently approved Advanced MedTech Holdings’ Covid-19 kit for use in testing saliva from deep within the throat, as the country looks to ramp up testing to help re-open its borders and resume more economic activity.

The test is the first of its type to receive approval from the HAS.

Singapore has made testing a pillar of its strategy to gradually re-open its borders that have been largely shut for most of 2020.

Source: VNA