With Turkey working to implement a coronavirus vaccine, with the leading candidate in clinical trials already at a late stage, a second vaccine could begin human trials by the end of January, the Minister of Industry and Industry said. Mustafa Varank Technologist Sunday.
“We are in close co-ordination with the Ministry of Health to initiate human testing. Plans are underway to make 50 million doses for the first batch, ”said Varank.
The minister ‘s comments came during a visit to Nobel Pharmaceutical’ s biotechnological pharmaceutical facilities in Istanbul, where he received a message from vaccine developers.
According to the company, the vaccine is being developed with the latest technology and uses virus-like particles (VLP), which are similar in structure to the virus but do not contain genetic material.
Used by more than 100 vaccines worldwide, the method is commonly used in the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. None of the coronavirus vaccines approved to date use VLP.
Recent studies suggest that VLP vaccines for influenza may provide stronger and longer-lasting protection against influenza viruses than conventional vaccines.
“Because it’s a very innovative approach, it could be in demand all over the world,” said Varan.
Explaining Turkey’s efforts to implement a domestic COVID-19 vaccine, Varank said the country was ready to provide the necessary support.
“We told scientists to send them back while they could do a project on a vaccine, drug or any protective measure against the crown virus. We set up the COVID-19 platform at the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TÜBITAK).
“We have agreed 17 projects; eight of them are coronavirus vaccines, ”he said.
Turkey’s leading COVID-19 vaccine candidate is currently in phase 2 trials and is being developed by Erciyes University and Koçak Pharma. The country hopes to be licensed and released by April.
On the VLP vaccine, the minister said that this was one of the most promising projects currently being developed.
“One of the most important on the table is the research on the COVID-19 vaccine using the VLP method. Our professors, Ihsan and Mayda Gürsel, started working with VLP vaccines for another platform but quickly brought them to us when the revolution began. “
According to Varank, the vaccine is ready to begin human testing but first it must be taken in small doses and approved first.
“Limited production must also be tested. Toxic tests must be carried out to ensure that they do not endanger human health or any other life. We expect to complete these before the end of this month and move on to the tests, ”he said.
“Because it is a protein – based vaccine, we believe it is very safe and robust. But of course, it needs to be confirmed by clinical trials first. ”
According to Varank, the World Health Organization (WHO) coronavirus vaccine development list included several with the VLP method, but only one of them was currently in phase 1 trials. “Hopefully we will be the second one.”
Speaking of potential, Varank said the vaccine can be given for up to 50 million doses for the first batch, with the option to increase yield if there is demand.
Without a doubt
As Varank broke the good news, a member of the country ‘s Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board said the end of face masks could come sooner if people delayed their unfounded delay in vaccinations.
“Life without a face mask could come sooner if people stop waiting for vaccines. But while doubts last, vaccination campaigns will take longer. If we can finish the campaign on time, we can all settle for a little more before the summer, ”Professor Ateş Kara told Demirören News Agency (DHA).
Explaining that at least some aspects of life, such as education, must return to normal as soon as possible, Kara said that vaccines are humanity’s strongest weapon against the pandemic.
“For example, we need to move to reopen schools and universities at the same time. Vaccines are our strongest weapon in that regard. If we move those who are most at risk, we can reduce the constraints a bit, ”he said.
Reiterating that the country has seen a significant reduction in the number of cases since locks and restrictions were lifted in November, Kara said the measures proved their effectiveness, and did not they should be discounted prematurely.
The Ministry of Health on Saturday reported 9,537 daily coronavirus cases, down from about 30,000 before the restrictions were reinstated. There are currently more than 120,000 active coronavirus cases in the country.
“Our coronavirus figures are downward, but we need to consider a number of things before we move to prevent them. One of them is the variable variety that came from the United Kingdom. Those with the new weight are being kept on their own, but we still need to keep our guard up and keep using unfamiliar faces at this time. ”