In response to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, a group of scientists from different institutions in Nigeria coordinated by the Vice Chancellor, Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan, Prof. Kola Oloke, has developed two potential vaccines that could prevent the virus.
This was disclosed in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Oloke; Dr. Oladipo Kolawole, a Microbiologist specializing in Medical Virology (Immunology and Bioinformatics) from Adeleke University, Ede; and Dr. Ajayi Folorunsho, a Medical Physiologist with specialization in Pathophysiology from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.
According to the scientists, the research work has reached an advanced stage of animal trial experiment, which would help to establish the veracity and efficacy of the vaccines for the prevention of the COVID-19.
The team added that, “We have worked extensively by exploring the SARS-CoV-2 genome from African countries to select the best possible potential vaccine candidates. After trying out some selected processes of vaccine development, we have been able to choose the best potential vaccine candidates for the SARS-CoV -2 and they have made the possible latent vaccine constructs.”
“The research was a collaborative effort of a number of scientists from different institutions/disciplines. It was, however, carried out at the Genomics Research Hub of Helix Biogen Consult in Ogbomoso and jointly funded by Trinity Immunoefficient Laboratory and Helix Biogen Consult owned by Dr. Kolawole Oladipo,” the statement read.