A day after Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett confirmed that the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) developed an antibody or passive vaccine which can attack and neutralize the virus responsible for COVID-19 within the bodies of those infected, Italian scientists claim that a vaccine developed by them neutralized the novel coronavirus in human cells.
Luigi Aurisicchio, CEO of Takis, which is the firm developing the medication, has said that this is a first since the race for a Covid-19 vaccine began in the world. He said human tests could begin in summer. He also said that his firm was exploring options with an American drug company, LineaRx, as well.
However, for the vaccine to come to fruition, Takis' efforts require support from the Italian government, and partnerships with international bodies. Reports state that after the Italian scientists injected the mice with the vaccine, they developed antibodies that block Covid-19 from infecting human cells.
Two out of five vaccine candidates were chosen after observation. Now, the scientists will be trying to gauge the longevity of the immunity response.
The vaccine employs a technique called electroporation to help these break into the cells and activate the immune system.