Italian scientists claim world's first Covid-19 vaccine

Scientists in Italy have claimed to have found a potential vaccine for humans against the Covid-19, a novel coronavirus that has placed many parts of the world under lockdown through a massive pandemic.

According to a report in Science Times on Tuesday, Luigi Aurisicchio, the chief executive officer of Takis, the firm developing the medication, claimed that this was the most advanced stage of testing since the race for the Covid-19 vaccine began in the world.

These scientists claim that tests carried out at Rome's infectious-disease Spallanzani Hospital showed that a potential vaccine, which has antibodies generated in mice, work on human cells too.

“This is the most advanced stage of testing of a potential vaccine in the country,” Aurisicchio was quoted by Italian news agency ANSA as saying. 

“Human tests could begin in summer,” he added.

He also said 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.

"This is not a competition. If we join our forces and skills together, we can all win against coronavirus," Aurisicchio said in the report.

So what is the progress in the vaccine? 

The Science Times report states 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.

All of the vaccine candidates under Italian study were being developed on the basis of genetic material of DNA protein, also called a spike, the report added.

The vaccine employs a technique called “electroporation” to help these break into the cells and activate the immune system.

According to researchers, this adds to the vaccine's effectiveness; for generating functional antibodies against "spike" protein in lung cells. 

Lung cells have been most vulnerable to the coronavirus.

The scientists are now awaiting better test results on the next trial. 

Dr Emanuele Marra from Takis said the vaccines could also adapt to any future mutations of the virus.

Earlier on March 28, Russia claimed to have created a drug, based on the anti-malarial Mefloquine, to treat patients suffering from the coronavirus disease.

The Russian authorities announced developing the drug as global virus tally crossed 600,000 confirmed patients and nearly 30,000 deaths.

“The drug will prevent virus replication in cells and as a result stops the inflammatory process caused by the virus,” the Russian Federal Biomedical Agency had said in a statement.