A team of Israeli researchers from MIGAL (The Galilee Research Institute) have said that they are days away from completing the production of the active component of a coronavirus vaccine. It could be tested on humans as early as 1st June.
To ensure they come close to this deadline that they have set for themselves, MIGAL are simultaneously working with the relevant regulators to ensure the vaccine will be considered safe for human trials.
Dr. Chen Katz, leader of MIGAL’s biotechnology group has stated that the vaccine will be an oral vaccine. He explained that the human trials would be conducted on “young, healthy individuals”, before expanding to the general public.
Katz noted that “technology wise, people wise we have all we need in Israel” and that the vaccine will be available first for Israeli citizens.
According to Katz, up to 100 research teams around the world are currently focused on developing a vaccine or treatment for the coronavirus, including several in Israel.
In fact, the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) said this week that it has begun testing a COVID-19 vaccine prototype on rodents at its laboratory.
IIBR chief innovation officer Eran Zahavy said that the institute is focusing entirely on coronavirus, with three groups trying to develop a vaccine and others trying to research potential treatments.
Zahavy confirmed that IIBR are trying as much as they can to collaborate and work with others.
