KATHMANDU -- A COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by China's WestVac Biopharma Co., Ltd. has received a nod from the Nepali authorities to conduct third-phase clinical trials in the South Asian country, the Nepali government officials said.

"We approved the proposal of WestVac Biopharma Co., Ltd. to conduct third-phase trials for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate last month after it submitted all the necessary documents," Namita Ghimire from the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) told Xinhua on Saturday. "The trials will be conducted among people aged 18 and above."

It is the second China-made vaccine and the third COVID-19 vaccine overall to be authorized for late-stage clinical trials in Nepal.

In August, a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine jointly developed by China's Suzhou Abogen Biosciences, the Institute of Military Medicine under the Academy of Military Sciences and Walvax Biotechnology Co., Ltd. was greenlighted for trials in the country.

"We have already given approval to WestVac Biopharma Co., Ltd. for the import of its vaccine candidate and conducting clinical trials in Nepal," said Santosh K.C from the Department of Drug Administration.

WestVac Biopharma applied for Nepali trials in August. Ghimire said it was informed that the Chinese company could start trials from January next year.