Italian Researchers Claim A Breakthrough In Coronavirus Vaccine

Luigi Aurisicchio, CEO of Takis, the firm developing the medication said that a coronavirus candidate vaccine has neutralised the virus in human cells for the first time, Arab News reported. The Times of India, in a report stated that the tests which were conducted on mice showed they successfully developed antibodies that blocked the virus from infecting the cells. The team of researchers further observed that the five vaccine candidates generated a large number of antibodies, and they selected two with the best results.

The tests are being carried out at Rome's infectious-disease Spallanzani Hospital, the New Indian Express reported.

"This is the most advanced stage of testing of a candidate vaccine created in Italy. Human tests are expected after this summer," Aurisicchio was quoted as saying to Italian news agency ANSA. The CEO of Takis, further added, "As far as we know we are the first in the world so far to have demonstrated neutralisation of the coronavirus by a vaccine. We expect this to happen in humans too".

If effective, this breakthrough development made by Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases in Rome can be among the most visible progress among all the vaccines being tested all over the world to get rid of the deadly infectious virus that has brought the entire world to a stand-still.

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All of the vaccine candidates, currently being developed is based on the genetic material of DNA protein "spike". Spike is the molecular tip that the coronavirus uses to enter human cells. They are injected with the "electroporation" technique which consists of an intramuscular injection. This is followed by a brief electrical impulse that helps the vaccine break into the cells and activate the immune system.

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Ayushi Aggarwal is an intern at SheThePeople.TV