Australia begins coronavirus vaccine tests

Australian government scientists have begun the first stages of testing for a potential vaccine against the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19.

Australia's national science agency CSIRO said Thursday that testing at a biosecurity facility was expected to take three months.

The testing is being undertaken in cooperation with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global group that aims to help speedily develop vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.

CSIRO will initially test two vaccine candidates that were developed by The University of Oxford and American biotechnology company Inovio Pharmaceuticals. The candidates were identified by CEPI in consultation with the World Health Organization.

We commenced pre-clinical trials of two potential COVID-19 vaccines today.
It's part of the rapid global response.

Stay up-to-date with our COVID-19 research and expert commentary.#Coronavirus #COVID19 @CEPIvaccines @WHO @UniofOxford @InovioPharma https://t.co/mgpgFbyU7P

— CSIRO (@CSIRO) April 2, 2020

CSIRO Chief Executive, Dr Larry Marshall said in a statement: "Beginning vaccine candidate testing at CSIRO is a critical milestone in the fight against COVID-19, made possible by collaboration both within Australia and across the globe. We will keep working until this viral enemy is defeated."