Tianjin University has successfully developed an oral vaccine to protect against novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19). Huang Jinhai, the professor who led the project, has himself taken four doses and has not experienced any side effects. The university is now looking for partners to promote clinical trials and broad usage.
The oral vaccine uses food-grade saccharomyces cerevisiae as a carrier and the spike protein of the coronavirus as a target spot to produce antibodies to fight COVID-19, according to a statement Tianjin University sent to the Global Times on Tuesday.
Huang's team has produced samples of the oral vaccine in the form of capsules, milk tablets and granular formulations. They have also developed core technologies in recombinant strains construction, selection, protein expression and fermentation dynamics, which are critical to the vaccine's development, the statement noted.
Huang said the vaccine, taken orally, could stimulate local mucosal immunization to prevent infection. It could also serve as a potential therapy for infected patients to combat the coronavirus.
"The vaccine has a very high level of security, is convenient to use and can be quickly produced on a large scale," Huang was quoted as saying in the statement. His team has been building a biological prevention and formulation development platform based on food-grade saccharomyces cerevisiae for years.
In the next step, Huang's team is looking for qualified enterprises to work together on following evaluation procedures, so as to speed up clinical verification and expand the vaccine's usage.
Do not make expressions casting dout on election: EC
14 Apr, 2022CM Bhatta says may New Year 2079 BS inspire positive thinking
14 Apr, 2022Three new cases, 44 recoveries in 24 hours
14 Apr, 2022689 climbers of 84 teams so far acquire permits for climbing various peaks this spring season
14 Apr, 2022How the rising cost of living crisis is impacting Nepal
14 Apr, 2022US military confirms an interstellar meteor collided with Earth
14 Apr, 2022Valneva Covid vaccine approved for use in UK
14 Apr, 2022Chair Prachanda highlights need of unity among Maoist, Communist forces
14 Apr, 2022Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt: Bollywood toasts star couple on wedding
14 Apr, 2022President Bhandari confers decorations (Photo Feature)
14 Apr, 2022