5 Jun 2020 10:42

Covid-19 vaccine developed jointly with Russian military ready for clinical trials

MOSCOW. June 5 (Interfax) - Preparations have been completed for the start of clinical trials of a Covid-19 vaccine, which has been developed by the Russian military together with the Nikolai Gamaleya National Epidemiology and Microbiology Research Center, employee of a branch of the Burdenko Main Military Hospital Natalya Pozdnyakova said.

Fifty volunteers have been selected among Russian Armed Forces personnel for participation in the clinical trials, while the vaccine itself have already undergone tests for toxicity, safety, immunogenicity, and protective efficiency on large and small animals (monkeys and hamsters) at the 48th Central Scientific Research Institute of the Russian Defense Ministry, she said.

"In such a way, the Defense Ministry together with the Nikolai Gamaleya National Epidemiology and Microbiology Research Center has completed preparations for the start of clinical trials of this unique domestic vaccine for the Covid-19 coronavirus infection," the Defense Ministry's Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper quoted Pozdnyakova as saying.

During the selection of candidates, each volunteer was required to undergo a full range of medical examinations, she said.

A separate, isolated hospital building was allocated for the selected volunteers, who include 45 men and five women. Prior to that, the building was fully disinfected and all of its premises were sanitized. The volunteers were transported to the site of the experiment by previously disinfected vehicles.

"All of them are serving under contract. They are warrant officers and officers aged between 25 and 50 years old, since legislation of the Russian Federation prohibits conducting trials on conscripts," Pozdnyakova said.

These 50 volunteers include ten healthcare workers, including three doctors.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin during a videoconference on May 26 that the 48th Central Scientific Research Institute of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Troops of the Defense Ministry together with the Nikolai Gamaleya National Epidemiology and Microbiology Research Center are developing a recombinant vaccine for the novel coronavirus. Clinical trials of the vaccine are expected to be completed before the end of July.