A quick test that recognizes the presence of the SarsCoV2 coronavirus in an hour, instead of the 5-7 needed today, and over 20 vaccine projects based on different strategies under study all over the world, including Italy: the race to put point weapons capable of fighting the virus, even if for vaccines the wait is still long, almost a year, considering the time necessary for experimentation on animals and humans and then for production. The rapid test for diagnosis developed by the Diasorin company in Saluggia (Vercelli), tested in the Spallanzani institute in Rome and in the Policlinico San Matteo in Pavia, where it will be available by March. The test is based on the coronoravirus genetic sequences deposited in international databases and recognizes all the variants known so far. Italy is also well placed in vaccine research. The go-ahead for animal testing of the Takis-designed vaccine could arrive by March.
It is a computer-made vaccine, obtained by cloning a fragment of the genetic information of the virus in the circular DNA strands present in the bacteria; the packet thus obtained is injected into the muscle and then a short electric shock enters the vaccine into the cell, which begins to produce the substance (antigen) recognized by the immune system. Another Italian company, ReiThera, awaits the go-ahead in April for animal tests of the vaccine based on a chimpanzee adenovirus rendered harmless and transformed into a shuttle that carries the genetic sequence of the spike protein, i.e. the weapon that the coronavirus uses to invade the cells of the human respiratory system. Injected intramuscularly, the vaccine would stimulate antibody production and immune cell activity. Also in Italy, Irbm is preparing to produce the vaccine designed by the Jenner Institute of the University of Oxford in its GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) laboratory to prepare the doses necessary for animal tests, which will be conducted in Great Britain. Around twenty vaccine projects are being studied worldwide