Thai researchers have completed the trial of a potential COVID-19 vaccine with rats, to be followed with a trial in monkeys. The team coordinated with North American manufacturers to produce the first batch of this vaccine.
The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, said regarding the development of a potential vaccine against COVID-19 in Thailand, that the vaccine had passed its trial in rats, with the next step being a trial in monkeys.
The vaccine, developed by Thai researchers, is an MRNA vaccine designed to help the body create immunity against the new coronavirus. It could be available as early as next year, provided that all tests are successful. Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the development to progress urgently.
Dr Taweesin said, “Chulalongkorn University’s Vaccine Research Center has joined forces with the National Vaccine Institute and the Department of Medical Sciences in this vaccine development, in which initial tests on lab rats have been successful. The vaccine will be tested on monkeys next week. The Minister of Higher Education said the Prime Minister has ordered the project to move along urgently, ensuring that Thailand will be among the first countries to have a vaccine available. This is a good news for Thai people, and deserving of praise for Thai scientists.”
The CCSA spokesman said today that the researchers have coordinated with manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada to produce the first batch of the vaccine, which will be used in clinical trials with human volunteers. (NNT)
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