Italian scientists set to commence human trials of coronavirus vaccine

Researchers from Rome-based Takis Biotech believe that antibodies created after injecting mice can save lives around the world, and plan to carry out human trials this year.

Scientists in Italy claim they’ve discovered the world’s first vaccine that can neutralise coronavirus.

Researchers from pharmaceutical firm Takis Biotech believe antibodies created by mice can prevent humans getting the killer disease.

Trials could be set to begin in the autumn, experts say.

It comes as the UK’s Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, warned that a vaccine may never be found to halt the virus, which has claimed more than 258,000 lives worldwide.

The company’s chief executive, Luigi Aurisicchio, said: “As far as we know we are the first in the world so far to have demonstrated a neutralisation of the coronavirus by a vaccine.”

It is one of several around the world desperately scrambling to find a vaccine that can save lives.

Mr Aurisicchio told Italian news agency Ansa: “This is not a competition.

“If we join our forces and skills together, we can all win against coronavirus.”

Researchers injected mice with a cloned genetic code, and say they are encouraged by the results.

Five vaccine candidates led to a “strong antibody response” after 14 days, scientists claim, and two showed a particularly strong response.

Tests have so far been carried out at the Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases, but the company needs the support of the Italian government and international partners to carry out clinical trials.