University of Queensland asked to develop a coronavirus vaccine
Kathmandu, January 25
The University of Queensland (UQ) of Australia informed that it was asked to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus outbreak, utilizing the university's recently developed rapid response technology.
As per the Science Alert, the university released an statement announcing that it had received a request to develop a vaccine from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which describes itself as "an innovative partnership between public, private, philanthropic, and civil organizations" which aims to come up with vaccines to protect the world against outbreaks.
In a statement, head of the university's School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Professor Paul Young said that UQ has novel technology for the rapid development of vaccines, which could provide a vaccine within six months.
"The team hopes to develop a vaccine over the next six months, which may be used to help contain this outbreak. The vaccine would be distributed to first responders, helping to contain the virus from spreading around the world," he said.
Besides partnership with UQ, CEPI announced it would be working with two other partners to develop a vaccine – US pharmaceuticals company Inovio, and biotechnology firm Moderna.
"Given the rapid global spread of the nCoV-2019 virus the world needs to act quickly and in unity to tackle this disease," CEO of CEPI Richard Hatchett said in a statement.
On the other hand, various pharmaceuticals and biotech companies have also announced their plans to develop a coronavirus vaccine over the past week.
More than 40 people have died and more than 1,000 others have been affected by the coronavirus that originated in China's Wuhan, reportedly from the city's 'street meat' market.
