Turkey completes 1st phase of COVID-19 vaccine efforts

Scientists in western Turkey commenced the lab tests on Tuesday of an antigen they designed for a vaccine against the novel coronavirus.

Research is ongoing with the collaboration of the Ege University Drug Development and Pharmacokinetic Research Application Center (ARGEFAR) in Izmir province and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).

A total of 32 scientists specializing in different branches came together to conduct the studies.

Dr. Mert Doskaya told Anadolu Agency that the design of the antigen, which is the first phase of the vaccine effort, was completed in a week.

The Vaccine Research and Development Group of the university will test the antigen and move on to the second phase, said Doskaya.

"In fact, studies in Turkey are at a similar stage with them.

"Five of these are in the clinical stage, meaning the first human experimentations have begun, and the rest are preparing for animal experiments," said Doskaya.

Over 1.93 million COVID-19 cases have now been reported in 185 countries and regions since the virus emerged in China last December, with the U.S. and Europe being the worst-hit areas.

The global death toll has surpassed 120,000, while over 464,000 patients have recovered around the world so far, according to figures compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.