COVID-19 Research Pushes Through

COVID-19 vaccines and treatments have had significant advances lately. Over the weekend, several announcements on the vaccine race and upcoming trials with existent medicines have shown positive responses that indicate science is pushing through to finding a possible cure for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

• In pole position is the collaboration between Oxford University and AstraZeneca. Early trials of the vaccine began in April. Phase III trials, which re said to be the last before a definite result is presented, are intended to involve 10,000 patients in the UK, 30,000 in the US, 5,000 in Brazil and 2,000 in South Africa. The study of this vaccine has shown that 90 percent of people taking the dose have developed neutralizing antibodies. While it is still unclear what level of protection the person develops, the University of Oxford has stated that it is a safe vaccine. Steps on this vaccine have been so significant that the UK government has already prepared deals to secure 100 million doses of this development.
• Second in the race is the recent CureVac and GSK collaboration for a mRNA technology-based COVID-19 vaccine. CureVac additionally announced this collaboration will tackle research, development, manufacturing and commercialization of that possible vaccine. This means that CureVac’s already existing capabilities on mRNA platform will be integrated and complemented with GSK’s components on mRNA. CureVac is a leader in this technology and GSK is a leader in vaccine development and self-amplifying mRNA technology platform. The company additionally offers a big focus on immunology, a huge plus for this development.
• A recent Bloomberg report on a Russian vaccine has also taken the spotlight. According to members of the Russian business and political elite, since April, they have had access to an experimental vaccine for SARS-CoV-2. This experimental dose has been developed by Gamaleya Institute. According to the report, participants who spoke about the trials where not part of the official experimental vaccine trials run and financed by the state-run Russian Direct Investment Fund. The official first trial of the vaccine was completed with the Russian military staff last week, indicating a positive development of an immune response on participants. Aside from the political chaos generated by the announcement, official authorities on the vaccine declared that the third stage of the trials will begin on August 3 in Russia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. They hope to begin a national dose distribution by September, if trials are successful.
• Synairgen laboratory published its results on a treatment trial on their medicine called SNG001, with showed a 79 percent risk reduction on COVID-19 complications. A study done with 101 patients indicated that chanced to be cured and to avoid severe symptoms from COVID-19 doubled.
• In Mexico, scholars from the Universidad de Guanajuato are working on a development on a product that will contain antiviral and microbial properties highly effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus on surfaces. Together with Mexican company Nobus, they seek to grow the production of their disinfectant suspension that can be used to sanitize spaces because of its fast reaction formula able to eliminate the virus and additional bacteria from surfaces. Moreover, the product is an ecofriendly solution that can also be used on clothing, painted surfaced or covers.