Brazil Advances Nationally Developed COVID-19 Vaccine SpiN-TEC, Boosting Scientific Autonomy
Brazil’s fully national COVID-19 vaccine SpiN-TEC progresses to final clinical trials, representing a milestone in health autonomy and combating scientific denialism.
- • Brazil has published its first scientific article on the SpiN-TEC vaccine, the country’s first fully national COVID-19 vaccine.
- • The vaccine is safe and will enter final clinical trials, expected to be available by early 2027.
- • The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI) invested R$ 140 million to support the vaccine's development.
- • SpiN-TEC is 100% produced in Brazil, without needing imported ingredients, highlighting scientific autonomy.
- • Minister Luciana Santos emphasized the vaccine's role in combating scientific denialism and boosting local health technology.
Key details
Brazil has published its first scientific article on SpiN-TEC, the country’s first fully national COVID-19 vaccine, developed by the Vaccine Technology Center at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). The vaccine has been shown to be safe and is set to enter its final phase of clinical trials, with expectations to be available by early 2027. The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI) invested R$ 140 million through the RedeVírus initiative to support its development from preclinical studies through clinical phases 1, 2, and 3.
MCTI Minister Luciana Santos highlighted SpiN-TEC’s significance beyond health, describing it as a symbol of Brazil’s scientific capacity and self-sufficiency, since the vaccine’s production is 100% domestic and does not depend on imported active ingredients. Such autonomy marks a strategic step in Brazil’s public health policy, reducing reliance on foreign technologies. Santos emphasized that SpiN-TEC represents a crucial response to combating scientific denialism, which contributed to high COVID-19 mortality in Brazil, and expressed optimism about regulatory approval by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa).
Should Anvisa approve the vaccine, it will then need incorporation into the Unified Health System (SUS) via Brazil’s National Commission for the Incorporation of Technologies (Conitec).
This development forms part of broader government efforts to foster technological sovereignty in health solutions, aligning with strategic investments in scientific research within Brazil. According to Santos, promoting local production and scientific intelligence is vital for confronting public health challenges.
Overall, SpiN-TEC’s progress signals a milestone in Brazil’s capacity to develop indigenous scientific innovations, reflecting a commitment to health autonomy and resilient responses to pandemics.