Human trials for Turkey’s locally produced coronavirus vaccines will begin soon, a minister confirmed Sunday.
During a visit to a pharmaceuticals company working on vaccine development in the southeastern province of Adıyaman, Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank said the clinical processes were underway for three vaccines. “Once the certification process is completed, they will start producing vaccines for human trials.”
Turkey has set up the COVID-19 Turkey Platform under the supervision of the Scientific and Technological Research Council (TÜBİTAK) in a race against time as the pandemic took its toll on the country.
Varank said Turkish scientists have exerted great efforts and are determined in their work on vaccines and drugs. So far, two vaccine projects have completed the animal trial phase, he said.
The minister added Vetal, the company he visited in Adıyaman, has reached the final stage of animal trials under the supervision of a scientist from Selçuk University in the central province of Konya. “They will then apply to the Health Ministry for approval. Thus, we are now in the clinical trial phase for three vaccines. Along with development, serial production is important. Vetal is among the companies able to mass-produce the vaccine,” Varank said.
The Health Ministry is now evaluating the vaccines that went through animal trials for the next stage. “We believe we will reach the Phase 1 trial soon,” Varank says.
