The director of a major Russian research center told President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday that his laboratory was ready to test experimental vaccines against the new coronavirus as early as June. Rinat Maksioutov, head of the Vektor state center, said during a meeting between Mr. Putin and the directors of the main Russian research centers to plan a first phase of clinical trials of three vaccines from June 29 on a sample of 180 volunteers.
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“Volunteer groups have already been created. We have received over 300 applications, ”he told the Russian president. Maksiutov said scientists in his laboratory near the Siberian city of Novosibirsk have developed vaccine prototypes based on six technology platforms. Tests are currently underway on mice, rabbits, and other animals to determine the most promising prototype by April 30.
He added that Vektor plans to conduct pre-clinical studies by June 22, just before testing on humans. Rinat Maksioutov also said that the first tests on humans could start as early as May "if the Ministry of Health authorizes it".
According to him, Vektor has vaccine technologies tested on humans for other diseases that could be used to develop the one against the coronavirus. The Vektor laboratory conducted secret research on biological weapons during the Soviet period and contains samples of various viruses ranging from smallpox to Ebola. Russia currently has 7,497 proven coronavirus cases and 58 deaths to be reported.