BEIJING - Morocco authorities approved phase 3 clinical trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine developed by China National Biotec Group (CNBG) after authorities in Peru gave the green light earlier in the day, the company said late on Thursday on Chinese social media platform WeChat. 

Phase 3 trials, which usually involve several thousand participants, allow researchers to gather data on the efficacy of potential vaccines for final regulatory approvals.

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The experimental vaccine of CNBG, a unit of state-owned pharmaceutical giant China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm), has entered a phase 3 trial in the United Arab Emirates that has already recruited 15,000 volunteers.

It has also obtained approval to be tested in Bahrain in a Phase 3 study designed to involve around 6,000 participants.