Moderna to start trial of 30,000 volunteers for its coronavirus vaccine in July (File)
Jerusalem:
Israel has signed an agreement with Moderna Inc. for the future purchase of its potential COVID-19 vaccine, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday.
The biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, confirmed last week its intention to start a trial of 30,000 volunteers for its highly anticipated vaccine in July as the company enters the final stages of the tests.
It is one of many vaccines tested around the world as drug manufacturers fight to fight the pandemic. There is currently no approved treatment or vaccine for COVID-19.
“Israel has signed an agreement with Moderna to allow us to purchase vaccines,” said Netanyahu, according to a statement from his office.
“The company is continuing to grow, they say they can do it by the middle of next year, we hope they will succeed,” he said.
Financial details were not disclosed.
Netanyahu added that Israel would continue its own efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine through the Israeli Biological Research Institute.
Israel – with a population of 9 million – has reported 19,783 new cases of coronavirus and 303 deaths. He has seen a spike in new infections since the reopening of schools, restaurants and many businesses last month.
Other countries, including France, Germany and Italy, have signed supply agreements with the British drug manufacturer AstraZeneca for its potential COVID-19 vaccine.
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
