Chinese scientists promise to create a vaccine against a new coronavirus as quickly as possible
Chinese experts have identified strains of the new coronavirus, which may become the basis for the development of a vaccine. This was announced on February 3 by the ambassador of China in Moscow, Zhang Hanhui. “Viruses (strains of viruses) have already been isolated, eight have been isolated at only one institute, and, according to experts, some are of very good quality, and on this basis an attempt can be made to produce a vaccine,” Interfax quoted him as saying.
It was also previously reported that experts at Tongji University and the biotechnological company Stemirna have signed an agreement to create an mRNA vaccine against a new type of coronavirus that has spread across the Middle Kingdom. The drug will be made faster than conventional ones, writes Paper.
According to the head of the project, Li Hanwen, it is planned to isolate matrix ribonucleic acid (mRNA), which will contain several sequences of different antigens at once. During the tests, the most effective ones will be selected, which will become the basis for samples of the future vaccine. They will appear within 40 days. Then the vaccine will be tested, after which it must go through the approval process.
It is noted that usually vaccines to combat coronaviruses are made much longer. So, the development of drugs based on reorganized proteins can take up to six months. Creating RNA vaccines will be several times faster.
Chinese authorities expect the epidemic to decline in February. The National Health Commission and the Ministry of Finance of China allocated $ 8.74 billion to fight against coronavirus.
So far, 7 strains of coronavirus have been discovered in the world. In some cases, they can cause SARS. Signs of a person becoming infected with the virus are fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
