
Data sourced from FasterCures, a center of the Milken Institute.
Interactive visualization by FirstPerson, a design & storytelling company.
Covid-19 Vaccine Tracker
210
vaccines are in development.
30
are now in clinical testing.
The race to develop, approve, and manufacture a COVID-19 vaccine is fluid—and urgent.
How long will it take? Some say not long.
Let's put that into perspective.
Scroll
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Leading Candidates
Farthest Along*
Clinical Phase
Univ. of Oxford/AstraZeneca
III
Sinovac/Instituto Butantan
III
Wuhan Inst./Sinopharm
III
Beijing Inst./Sinopharm
III
Moderna
III
BioNTech/Fosun/Pfizer
II/III
CanSino Biologics
II
Inst. of Medical Biology
II
Anhui Zhifei Longcom
II
Novavax
II
*Ranked by entry into latest phase of development. Clinical phases move when it is publicly reported that the product has been dosed in a trial.
Key
Inactivated Virus
Live Attenuated Virus
Protein Subunit
DNA-Based
RNA-Based
replicating viral vector
Non-Replicating VIral Vector
Virus-Like Particle
Other Vaccines
Vaccine Categories
Clinical Trial Phase
I
Phase One
II
Phase Two
III
Phase Three
RR
Regulatory Review
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View data for vaccines and treatments.
HOW TO READ THE SYRINGE Graphic
There are currently
These fall into
At this time,
But not all vaccines are created equal.
210
vaccines in development
for COVID-19.
This syringe represents vaccines currently in development. Each row is an individual vaccine.
Inactivated Virus
Live Attenuated Virus
Protein Subunit
DNA-Based
RNA-Based
replicating viral vector
Non-Replicating VIral Vector
Virus-Like Particle
Other Vaccines
Vaccine Categories
How many are out of the pre-clinical phase?
9
different product categories / platforms.
More about the timeline, phases, manufacturing, and approaches to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
Clinical trial phases read in columns from left to right on the syringe.
vaccines still in the pre-clinical phase remain transparent.
vaccines still in the pre-clinical phase remain transparent.
30
vaccines are in one of four phases of clinical testing.
I
II
III
RR
Timeline
The vaccine development process typically takes a decade, but COVID-19 timelines are being compressed due to the global urgency of the pandemic.
Typical Vaccine Development
Possible COVID-19 vaccine development
12-18 MOnths
~10 Years
Some suggest a timeline from start of development to public use is 12-18 months from January 2020, when the genetic sequence of the virus that causes COVID-19 was published.
How Vaccines Work
Weak Germs Injected
Traditionally, vaccines contain the same germs, either killed or weakened, or part of the germ that causes the disease.
Antibodies Created
They stimulate your immune system to produce antibodies, as if you were exposed to the germ.
Immunity Developed
After getting vaccinated, one develops immunity to that disease without having to get it first.
Vaccines don’t cure diseases.
They prevent them.
stages of development
After pre-clinical studies are completed, the multiple phases of the clinical trial process test whether new vaccines are safe and effective before going public—culminating in a regulatory review. Phase IV is post-approval and monitors real-world effectiveness.
This process usually takes approximately 10 years, but governments and industry are fast-tracking these vaccines while maintaining safety and efficacy standards.
PRE
Pre-Clinical Phase
- Collects data to support feasibility and safety
- Involves iterative non-human testing
- Evaluates toxic and pharmacological effects
- Normally occurs before human testing can begin

I
Clinical phase
- Small study of healthy people
- Evaluates safety and immune response at different doses
- Typically takes 1-2 years, but for COVID-19 trials, expected to take 3 months

II
Clinical phase
- Studies 100s of people
- Further evaluates safety, assesses efficacy, and informs optimal dose and vaccine schedule
- Typically takes 2-3 years, but for COVID-19 trials, expected to take 8 months

III
Clinical phase
- Studies 1000s of people
- Further evaluates safety and efficacy
- Typically takes 2-4 years, but for COVID-19 trials, may be combined with Phase II

RR
Regulatory Review
- Government agency reviews trial data and licensing application information before approval
- Can happen while manufacturing has started
- Typically takes 1-2 years, but for COVID-19, expedited to take a few months

IV
Clinical Phase
- Post-approval studies that monitor effectiveness in real-world conditions
- Testing begins after vaccine has been released to public

Once a vaccine is approved, do we get it right away?
Early Manufacturing
Oftentimes developers will try to ensure that enough of a vaccine is ready to ship the moment approval comes in by beginning the manufacturing process during clinical trials.
But a manufacturer loses significant resources if approval doesn’t come or a vaccine is no longer needed in the marketplace. The more vaccines produced, the more risk incurred. To mitigate risk and encourage manufacturing, governments, industry and international organizations are working together.
Pre
I
II
III
RR
IV
NON-IDEAL CASE
Developer manufactures mass quantities of a vaccine, but does not get approval, leaving the public without a vaccine and resources put into manufacturing lost. For COVID-19 vaccine development, private philanthropy has pledged to pay the lost costs for this scenario.
Pre
I
II
III
RR
IV
GOOD CASE
Developer gets fast approval, but has not manufactured enough of a vaccine to distribute in mass quantities. The public must wait longer for more vaccines to become available.
Pre
I
II
III
RR
IV
BEST CASE
Developer gets fast approval and has been concurrently manufacturing the vaccine during clinical trials.
The vaccine is now ready to distribute in mass quantities.
A race ARound the world
To expedite development and distribution of a vaccine, unprecedented international alliances have been formed and billions have been allocated. But simultaneous initial development will eventually give way, and only a select few of the most promising candidates will receive funding towards eventual licensing and distribution.
That is why many different types of vaccines are being researched and tested—some traditional, others experimental. Each product category has its own advantages and disadvantages, and we will likely need more than one vaccine to protect all people around the globe.

Meet the candidates.
Inactivated virus
These consist of viruses grown in culture and then killed as a means to reduce virulence (ability to infect and cause harm) and thus prevent infection from the vaccine. One benefit is they can be given to people with weakened immune systems. Examples include polio and influenza vaccines.
Sinovac/ Instituto Butantan/ Bio Farma
Inactivated (inactivated + alum); CoronaVac (formerly PiCoVacc)
Wuhan Institute of Biological Products/ Sinopharm
Inactivated
Beijing Institute of Biological Products/ Sinopharm
Inactivated
Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Inactivated
Bharat Biotech/ Indian Council of Medical Research/ National Institute of Virology
Whole-Virion Inactivated (COVAXIN)
KM Biologics
Inactivated (inactivated + alum)
Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Republic of Kazakhstan
Inactivated, QAZCOVID-IN®
Erciyes University
Inactivated
Selcuk University
Inactivated
Valneva/ Dynavax
Inactivated (Inactivated + CpG 1018), VLA2001
National Research Centre, Egypt
Inactivated whole virus
Sinovac/ Dynavax
Inactivated (inactivated + CpG 1018)
Osaka University / BIKEN / NIBIOHN
Inactivated
Beijing Minhai Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
Inactivated
Developer / Researcher
Product Description
PRE
I
II
III
RR
IV
Live attenuated virus
In contrast to inactivated virus vaccines, these vaccines, also whole viruses, are live to elicit a stronger immune response but weakened to reduce virulence. Examples include those for measles, mumps, and tuberculosis.
Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University/ Acıbadem Labmed Health Services A.S.
Codon deoptimized live attenuated vaccines
Meissa Vaccines
MV-014-210
Indian Immunologicals Ltd/ Griffith University
Codon deoptimized live attenuated virus
Codagenix / Serum Institute of India
Codon deoptimized live attenuated virus
Developer / Researcher
Product Description
PRE
I
II
III
RR
IV
Protein subunit
Rather than introducing whole viruses to an immune system, a fragment of the virus is used to trigger an immune response and stimulate immunity. Examples include the subunit vaccines against Hepatitis B and shingles.
Novavax/ Emergent BioSolutions/ Praha Vaccines/ Serum Institute of India/ AGC Biologics/ Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies/ SK bioscience
Protein subunit; Full-length recombinant SARS COV-2 glycoprotein nanoparticle vaccine adjuvanted with Matrix M (NVX-CoV2373)
Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical/ Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Adjuvanted recombinant protein (RBD-Dimer)
Federal Budgetary Research Institution (FBRI) State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "VECTOR"
Peptide vaccine, EpiVacCorona
Instituto Finlay de Vacunas
RBD + Adjuvant (FINLAY-FR-1)
Adimmune
Corporation
Baculovirus-insect cells expression system, spike (S) protein (tAdimrSC-2f)
West
China Hospital, Sichuan University
RBD (baculovirus production
expressed in Sf9 cells)
Vaxine Pty Ltd/ Flinders University/ Oracle/ Medytox/ Sypharma/ Oxford Expression Technologies
Protein subunit; recombinant spike protein with Advax adjuvant (COVAX-19)
University of Queensland/CSL/Seqirus
Protein subunit; molecular clamp stabilized Spike protein with MF59 adjuvant
Clover Biopharmaceuticals Inc./ GSK/ Dynavax
Protein subunit, native like trimeric subunit spike protein
Federal Budgetary Research Institution (FBRI) State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "VECTOR"
Subunit vaccine
Farmacológicos Veterinarios SAC (FARVET SAC) / Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH)
RBD protein (baculovirus production) + FAR-Squalene adjuvant
Soligenix/ University of Hawaii at Mānoa
CiVax™ COVID-19 vaccine candidate; spike protein + novel adjuvant
University of Cambridge / DIOSynVax
Protein subunit; S protein (DIOS-CoVax2)
Verndari/ University of California, Davis
Spike protein; VaxiPatch microneedle array dermal patch
Sorrento Therapeutics
Recombinant fusion protein of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 domain and human IgG Fc (T-VIVA-19)
Heat Biologics (Zolovax)/ University of Miami/ Waisman Biomanufacturing
Protein subunit (gp-96 backbone)
Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp/ NIAID/ Dynavax
S-2 P protein + CpG 1018
Sanofi Pasteur/ GSK
Protein subunit; S protein, baculovirus production
IMV, Inc., Canadian Center for Vaccinology at Dalhousie University, Izaak Walton Killam Health Center, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Canadian Immunization Research Network, University of Laval, Global Urgent and Advanced Research and Development in Canada
Protein subunit; DPX-COVID-19, protein subunit, peptide antigens formulated in LNP
Research
Institute for Biological Safety Problems, Rep of Kazakhstan
Protein subunit
Kentucky BioProcessing (British American Tobacco)
RBD-based
Mynvax
RBD-protein
ImmunoPrecise/ LiteVax BV
Spike-based (epitope screening)
InnoMedica
Protein subunit, TaliCoVax19
Bogazici University
Peptide + novel adjuvant
Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center
Recombinant S protein
University of Virginia
S subunit intranasal liposomal formulation with GLA/3M052 adjs.
National
Research Centre, Egypt
Protein Subunit S, N, M & S1 protein
Helix Biogen Consult, Ogbomoso & Trinity Immonoefficient Laboratory, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
Subunit
Baiya Phytopharm/ Chula Vaccine Research Center
Plant-based subunit (RBD-Fc + Adjuvant)
Intravacc/Epivax
Outer Membrane Vesicle (OMV)-subunit x
University of San Martin and CONICET, Argentina
Protein subunit
Yisheng Biopharma
Protein subunit, recombinant protein
WRAIR / USAMRIID
Protein subunit; S protein
Vabiotech
Protein subunit, recombinant S protein in IC-BEVS
Vaxil Bio
Protein subunit; peptide
University of Alberta
Protein subunit; spike based
University of California, San Diego
Protein subunit; plant virus nanotechnology formulated as injectable and microneedle patch
St. Petersburg Scientific Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums
Protein subunit, recombinant protein, nanoparticles (based on S-protein and other epitopes)
Quadram Institute Biosciences
OMV-based vaccine
MOGAM Institute for Biomedical Research, GC Pharma
Protein subunit
LakePharma, Inc.
Protein subunit, nanoparticle vaccine
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Structurally modified spherical particles of the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)
Neovii/Tel Aviv University
RBD-based
National Institute of Infectious Disease, Japan
Protein subunit, S protein + adjuvant
Osaka University / BIKEN / National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Japan
Protein subunit, VLP-recombinant protein + adjuvant
OncoGen
Protein subunit, synthetic long peptide vaccine candidate for S and M proteins
MIGAL Galilee Research Institute
Protein subunit; oral E. coli-based protein expression system of S and N proteins
PDS Biotechnology
PDS-0203; Versamune T-cell activating technology
Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
Targeted (Langerhans cell specific) protein subunit; spike based
Intravacc/Epivax
Outer Membrane Vesicle (OMV)-peptide
Innovax / Xiamen University / GSK
Protein subunit; COVID-19 XWG-03 truncated Spike proteins
iBio / CC-Pharming
Protein subunit; Subunit protein, plant produced
ExpreS2ion
Protein subunit, drosophila S2 insect cell expression system VLPs
Generex / EpiVax
Protein subunit; Ii-Key peptide
Flow Pharma
Protein subunit, peptide
EpiVax / University of Georgia
Protein subunit; S protein
EpiVax
Protein subunit EPV-CoV-19
AnyGo Technology
Protein subunit, recombinant S1-Fc fusion protein
BiOMVis Srl/ University of Trento
OMV-based vaccine
Baylor College of Medicine
Protein subunit; S1 or RBD protein
Biological E Ltd
Protein subunit; adjuvanted protein subunit (RBD)
Applied Biotechnology Institute, Inc.
Orally delivered, heat stable subunit
Axon Neuroscience SE
Peptides derived from Spike protein
Chulalongkorn University/ GPO, Thailand
RBD protein fused with Fc of IgG + Adjuvant
AJ Vaccines
Protein subunit; S protein
University of Pittsburgh
PittCoVacc, Protein subunit, microneedle arrays S1 subunit
VIDO-InterVac, University of Saskatchewan
Protein subunit, adjuvanted microsphere peptide
PREVENT-nCoV consortium (AdaptVac, Institute for Tropical Medicine at University of Tubingen, Leiden University Medical Center, University of Copenhagen, ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies, Wageningen University)/ Bavarian Nordic
Protein subunit, capsid-like particle (CLP)
UMN Pharma (Shionogi)
Protein subunit; recombinant protein vaccine, utilizing baculovirus expression vector system technology
Developer / Researcher
Product Description
PRE
I
II
III
RR
IV
DNA-Based
These next-gen vaccines work through introducing viral genetic material (DNA) that cells use to make viral proteins that induce a range of immune response types. They can potentially be developed more quickly and easily than other vaccines, but no DNA vaccines have been approved for human use.
Osaka University/ AnGes/ Takara Bio/ Cytiva
DNA plasmid, vaccine + adjuvant
Zydus Cadila Healthcare Limited
DNA plasmid (ZyCoV-D)
Genexine Consortium (GenNBio, International Vaccine Institute, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)/ Binex/ PT Kalbe Pharma
DNA vaccine (GX-19)
Inovio Pharmaceuticals/Beijing Advaccine Biotechnology/VGXI Inc./ Richter-Helm BioLogics/Ology Bioservices/ International Vaccine Institute/ Seoul National University Hospital
DNA plasmid vaccine with electroporation; INO-4800
BioNet Asia
DNA
Chula Vaccine Research Center/ National Research Council of Thailand/ BioNet-Asia
DNA with electroporation
Takis/ Applied DNA Sciences/ Evvivax
DNA
Statens Serum Institute, Denmark
DNA plasmid, CoVAXIX
Ege University
DNA
Scancell/ University of Nottingham/ Nottingham Trent University
DNA plasmid vaccine RBD&N
Mediphage Bioceuticals/ University of Waterloo
msDNA vaccine
Entos Pharmaceuticals/ Cytiva
DNA; Covigenix
National
Research Centre, Egypt
DNA plasmid vaccine S, S1, S2, RBD & N
Symvivo
bacTRL-Spike
Immunomic Therapeutics / EpiVax / PharmaJet
DNA plasmid, needle-free delivery
OPENCORONA - Cobra Biologics / Karolinska Institute
DNA with electroporation
Developer / Researcher
Product Description
PRE
I
II
III
RR
IV
RNA-based
Similar to DNA vaccines, these experimental vaccines provide immunity through introduction of genetic material (RNA). RNA vaccines can also be potentially developed more quickly and easily than other vaccines. No RNA vaccines have been approved for human use.
Moderna/ NIAID/ Lonza/ Catalent/ Rovi/ Medidata/ BIOQUAL
RNA; LNP-encapsulated mRNA (mRNA 1273)
BioNTech/ Fosun Pharma/ Pfizer
3 LNP-mRNAs; BNT162
Arcturus/Duke-NUS/ Catalent
LUNAR-COV19; RNA; mRNA
Imperial College London/ VacEquity Global Health
RNA; LNP-nCoVsaRNA
CureVac
RNA; mRNA
People's Liberation Army (PLA) Academy of Military Sciences/ Walvax Biotech
mRNA (ARCoV)
Elixirgen Therapeutics/ Fujita Health University
srRNA (EXG-5003)
Daiichi-Sankyo/ University of Tokyo's Institute of Medical Science
RNA; mRNA (DS-5670)
Federal Budgetary Research Institution (FBRI) State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology "VECTOR"
RNA; mRNA
Gennova
Self-amplifying
RNA
Selcuk University
mRNA
Chula Vaccine Research Center/University of Pennsylvania
LNP-mRNA
Ziphius Therapeutics/ Ghent University
RNA; ZIP-1642, vaccine consists of a combination of mRNA molecules, encoding multiple SARS-CoV-2 antigens
Chimeron Bio/ George Mason University's National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Disease
Self amplifying RNA, self-assembling delivery system
RNAimmune, Inc.
RNA; several mRNA candidates
Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
mRNA in targeted LPNs (Langerhans cell specific)
GeneOne Life Science / Houston Methodist
RNA
Greenlight Biosciences
mRNA
Fudan University / Shanghai JiaoTong University / RNACure Biopharma
RNA; LNP-encapsulated mRNA cocktail encoding RBD
IDIBAPS- Hospital Clinic, Spain
mRNA
Fudan University / Shanghai JiaoTong University / RNACure Biopharma
RNA; LNP-encapsulated mRNA cocktail encoding VLP
China CDC / Tongji University / Stermina
RNA; mRNA
Centro Nacional Biotecnologia (CNB-CSIC), Spain
RNA; Replicating defective SARS-CoV-2 derived RNAs
CanSino Biologics/Precision Nanosystems
RNA; mRNA lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP)
Sanofi Pasteur / Translate Bio
LNP-mRNA
eTheRNA Immunotherapies / EpiVax/ Nexelis/ REPROCELL / Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination of the University of Antwerp
RNA; mRNA in an intranasal delivery system (cross-strain protective COV-2 mRNA) vaccine for high-risk populations
BIOCAD
RNA; liposome-encapsulated mRNA
Developer / Researcher
Product Description
PRE
I
II
III
RR
IV
Virus-like particle
Virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines closely resemble viruses but are non-infectious because they contain no viral genetic material. Since VLPs cannot replicate, they provide a safer alternative to attenuated viruses. Examples include the HPV vaccine.
University of Sao Paulo
VLPs peptides/whole virus
Saiba GmbH
VLP; virus-like particle, based on RBD displayed on virus-like particle
Navarrabiomed, Oncoimmunology group
Virus-like particles, lentivirus, and baculovirus vehicles
ARTES Biotechnology
VLP; eVLP
Imophoron Ltd / Bristol University's Max Planck Centre
VLP; ADDomerTM multiepitope display
VBI Vaccines / National Research Council of Canada/ Therapure Biomanufacturing
Enveloped virus-like particle (eVLP): Pan-coronavirus vaccine candidate, targeting COVID-19, SARS, and MERS, spike protein
Bezmialem Vakif University
VLP
Medicago
Inc./ GSK
VLP (CoVLP)+ Adjuvant
Medicago Inc./ Dynavax
VLP (CoVLP)+ Adjuvant (CpG 1018)
Middle East Technical University
VLP
OSIVAX
VLP (COVID-19 and SARS1)
Doherty Institute
VLP; unknown
Mahidol University/ The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO)/ Siriraj Hospital
VLP + Adjuvant
IrsiCaixa AIDS Research/ IRTA-CReSA/ Barcelona Supercomputing Centre/ Grifols
S protein integrated in HIV VLPs
Medicago Inc.
VLP; plant-derived VLP adjuvanted with GSK or Dynavax adjs.
Developer / Researcher
Product Description
PRE
I
II
III
RR
IV
Other Vaccines
From a gene-encoded antibody vaccine to a self-assembling vaccine and more, these are the vaccines being developed that do not fall easily into one of the other product categories or details about its category are not publicly available.
United
Biomedical (UBI)/ c19
Unknown
Covaxx/ University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)
Multitope Peptide-Based Vaccine (MVP); UB-612
Oragenics (Noachis Terra)/ Aragen Bioscience
TerraCoV2
Adeleke University
Unknown
University of California, Los Angeles (Horwitz Lab)
Recombinant LVS ΔcapB – vectored vaccine expressing multiple SARS-CoV-2 antigens
NidoVax
unknown; IMT504 technology
Vault Pharma/ University of California Los Angeles
nanoparticles (vaults) as second-line defense of infection
Vivaldi Biosciences/ Esco Aster Pte Ltd
Chimeric vaccine (coronavirus and influenza)
Vir Biotechnology / GSK
Unknown
Tulane University
Unknown
Shenzhen Geno-Immune Medical Institute
LV-SMENP-DC Dendritic cells modified with lentiviral vector expressing synthetic minigene based on domains of selected viral proteins; administered with antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes
Shenzhen Geno-Immune Medical Institute
Artificial antigen-presenting cells modified with lentiviral vector expressing synthetic minigene based on domains of selected viral proteins
Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children's Hospital
Unknown
Emergex Vaccines/ George Mason University's National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases (NCBID)
Unknown
Catholic University/ Millennium Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy/ Technological Consortium in Clinical Molecular Biomedicine, Chile
Unknown
Codiak BioSciences/ Ragon Institute
exoVACC exome platform
AbVision
AVI-205
SK Biosciences
Unknown
ISR Immune System Regulation
ISR-50
HaloVax (Voltron Therapeutics) / The Vaccine & Immunotherapy Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital
Self-assembling vaccine (fusion protein of a heat shock protein and Avidin, with biotinylated immunogenic peptides)
Developer / Researcher
Product Description
PRE
I
II
III
RR
IV
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