Turkey showing progress towards making virus vaccine
On 4th of August, a top Turkish researcher clarified, since March, the early days of the pandemic, Turkey has plugged into 18 drug and vaccine projects to fight the novel coronavirus, and is making progress.
"Nearly 400 researchers and 49 institutions as well as universities, public research centers, and private sector organizations simultaneously carried out 10 treatment drug and eight vaccine projects," said Hasan Mandal, the head of Turkey's Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK), based in the capital Ankara. Mandal said that in drug projects, work has been done to produce drug components in Turkey by synthesizing raw materials. He explained, "Now Turkey is a country that can manage the drug process without the need for active ingredients. This is an important step in treatment."
Underlining that studies were done by scientists from eight different groups, he said, "Vaccine studies which normally can last years were carried out in months. This is the most important sign of Turkey's concerted effort. We reached an important stage in making a vaccine that can compete with the rest of the world." He added, "First you design it, then you try it in a laboratory environment, and then on animals. We're at an important stage here. First one and now two of our projects have reached an important stage. After that, human trails will start. I hope we will come to this process very soon."
Vaccines made in Turkey will not only benefit the country's citizens, but all humanity, Mandal said in a statement.
