Italy claims to have developed world’s 1st coronavirus vaccine

May 6: The pressure is on the drug makers to develop coronavirus vaccines as the deadly disease shows no signs of stopping. It is at this juncture that Italian company Takis’s chief executive officer Luigi Aurisicchio announced that for the first time in the world they have made a COVID-19 candidate vaccine, adding that the vaccine has neutralized the virus in human cells. This is the most advanced stage of testing of a candidate vaccine created in Italy, the CEO said and added that human tests are expected after this summer.

According to the tests carried out at Rome’s infectious-disease Spallanzani Hospital, an Italian coronavirus vaccine has antibodies generated in mice that work on human cells. Luigi Aurisicchio said that “Human tests are expected after this summer.” After observing that the five vaccine candidates generated a large number of antibodies, researchers selected two with the best results, the report said. All of the vaccine candidates currently being developed are based on the genetic material of DNA protein “spike”.

“So far, the immunity generated by most of our five vaccine candidates has an effect on the virus. We expect better results after the second vaccination,” Dr Emanuele Marra from Takis was quoted as saying.  He added that the vaccine candidates could adapt to any COVID-19 evolution and its possible mutations.

Aurisicchio said the company is currently working with an all-Italian and innovative technology, tested in Italy, which will be made available for everyone once testing is completed. For this to succeed, however, they need the support not only from their government but as well as international institutions and partners who might want to extend their hand to help speed up the process.