Scientists in Russia have begun tests for vaccine prototypes for the new coronavirus, and plan to present the most effective one by June, a laboratory chief at a state biotech institute said, according to Lenta.ru.
Russia has reported 93 cases of infection but no deaths, according to official numbers published Tuesday.
“The prototypes have been created. We are starting laboratory testing on animals, to ensure effectiveness and safety,” Ilnaz Imatdinov of the Vector Institute, а prominent biochemical facility in Siberia, told the Vesti Novosibirsk television channel on Monday, according to the report. “In June we will present one or two showing the best results.”
Vector Institute is a state virology and biotechnology center in Novosibirsk, which previously worked on vaccines for the Ebola virus.
According to the state health watchdog, which oversees the institute, Russia has tested about 16,000 people for the coronavirus since March 16. The country has announced it is closing borders to all foreign nationals beginning Wednesday as part of measures to halt the spread of the virus.
