7 Different Vaccine Development Studies Launched

Industry and Technology Minister Varank stated that if the vaccine candidate based on virus-like particles (VLP) proves successful, Turkey could tell the world: "Our vaccine's efficacy and protection can be produced much better and under more suitable conditions."

  Pointing out that he held meetings with scientists before the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak reached Turkey's borders, Varank said they assessed what could be done to develop vaccines and medicines. Varank relayed that some scientists told him Turkey had the infrastructure and human resources for vaccine development and could develop a COVID-19 vaccine with sufficient support. Recalling that they established the "COVID-19 Turkey Platform" under TÜBİTAK, Varank noted that they asked scientists to conduct vaccine and medicine studies that could produce results in short timeframes rather than extended periods. Pointing out that 7 different vaccine development projects were launched under the platform, Varank stated: "Among these is an innovative vaccine project based on virus-like particles, or VLP, which has currently entered human trials in 4 countries worldwide and of which I myself am a volunteer. We also have inactivated, mRNA and adenovirus vaccine projects. The VLP vaccine has begun human trials and we are nearing the end of Phase-1 studies. Osman Erganiş has just begun human trials with the inactivated vaccine. There are studies supported at various Turkish universities. The inactivated vaccine candidate is being studied in Kayseri and they are nearing the end of Phase-2 studies." Expressing that if the VLP vaccine project succeeds, Turkey could tell the world that "our vaccine's efficacy and protection can be produced much better and under more suitable conditions," Varank said: "If everything goes successfully, we think we could have our VLP technology vaccine in hand by autumn." Pointing out that the path to fighting COVID-19 runs through vaccination, Varank made the following appeal to citizens: "If you have access to a vaccine, please get vaccinated. When you look at vaccinated people in the world today and relatively poorer countries without access to vaccines, if you develop a vaccine with this technology and have your vaccine in hand by year-end, you can use it for your own citizens and also develop a healing technology for the world." Source: AA