Last Updated on May 24, 2020 by The Health Master
British firm claims: Covid-19 vaccine developed
The global race to develop a safe vaccine for COVID19 intensified after one of the world’s leading cigarette company British American Tobacco claimed that it has developed a vaccine using protein from tobacco leaves and is ready for a human trial.
The London based tobacco company said that its experimental vaccine of novel coronavirus has shown a positive immune response in pre-clinical trials and they are now ready to test its efficiency on human beings.
The company is waiting for approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after which it would proceed to phase 1 trial on humans.
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The BAT vaccine
British American Tobacco company attracted the world’s attention in April when it announced that it’s subsidiary Kentucky BioProcessing (KBP), was developing a vaccine for coronavirus.
As per the company, the method they are using will help generate the vaccine faster as compared to other conventional approaches. It will reduce the production time from several months to six weeks. If everything goes as per the plan they will be able to produce 1 million to 3 million doses per week.
The company has submitted its pre-investigative new drug application to the FDA and is also in talks with other government agencies around the globe. It is expecting to start the trial from late June.
The race to develop the vaccine
Drugmakers across the world are fighting tooth and nail to develop the vaccine for the new strain of coronavirus as early as possible. More than 100 candidates from the U.S., Europe, China and other regions have jumped into the race. Some vaccines are already being tried on humans. Experts believe that the vaccine could take at least 12 months to reach the general population. BAT opponent Philip Morris International Inc. is also testing an immunisation based on a virus-like particle.
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