Japanese Pharma to Begin Testing Coronavirus Vaccine on Animals

On Tuesday, the Japanese biopharmaceutical firm Anges Inc announced that it and Osaka University had completed the production of a DNA vaccine against the latest coronavirus and that it will shortly start testing it in animals.

Shares of Anges rose by as much as 17 percent in the morning trade in Tokyo, compared to 5.3 percent in the wider market.

Anges, a drug-discovery firm founded from Osaka University, revealed on March 5 that it was collaborating with the school on a coronavirus vaccine. According to the corporate release, DNA vaccines are developed with an inactivated virus, which will develop quicker than protein-based vaccines.

Takara Bio Co is responsible for manufacturing the vaccine, and the gene-transfer technology from Daicel Corp is also used, the statement added.

Large pharmaceutical firms are working to create coronavirus vaccinations and therapies, which have exceeded 350,000 cases globally and triggered more than 15,000 deaths.

Business leader Takeda Pharmaceutical Co focuses on a plasma-derived medication in Japan, while the active ingredient in Avigan anti-flu product from Fujifilm Holdings Corp is being evaluated as a remedy in China.

Source: Reuters