A group of experts, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Prof.Kola Oloke, has developed two potential vaccines for the prevention of COVID-19 which is currently ravaging the world.
The researchers, who are from some university in Nigeria and abroad, said the project had reached the animal trial stage.
At this stage, they said it would be possible to establish the veracity and efficacy of the vaccines.
In a joint statement signed by Oloke and other members of the team, Dr Oladipo Kolawole, a Microbiologist who specialises in Medical Virology (Immunology and Bioinformatics) from Adeleke University, Ede; and Dr. Ajayi Folorunsho, a Medical Physiologist with specialisation in Pathophysiology from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, indicated that the researchers were spurred by the challenges posed by the virus.
The statement read in parts, “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”
It read that the research, embarked upon by the group of scientists, was carried out at Genomics Research Hub of Helix Biogen Consult; Trinity Immunoefficient Laboratory; and Helix Biogen Consult.
It added, “The understanding of genetic diversity/variability of the SARS-CoV-2 in Africa is a very urgent assignment. There is need for African scientists to wake up and provide more solutions to the pandemic specifically for Africans. Therefore, this study was initiated to make significant scientific contributions to the development of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
“Findings from this research have shown the importance of multidisciplinary research efforts in healthcare. We are on the verge of something truly transformational in Nigeria and Africa and by extension, the world at large.”
While calling for financial assistance from government and relevant stakeholders in an effort to see the initiative through, it stated, “In summary, the team has been able to construct two potential vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 which should work in a much pretty way to protect the general populace against the novel COVID-19 if it becomes successful in the animal trial experiments.
“The animal experiment will help us to validate the constructed vaccine, evaluate its effectiveness and safety. Therefore, we hereby call for support in various ways from non-governmental and governmental institutions to assist in the next steps of these novel vaccines development.” Other key members of the team include Dr Onile Olugbenga, a Molecular Epidemiologist and Immunologist from Elizade University, Ondo State; Dr Ariyo Olumuyiwa Elijah, who specialises in Infectious and Tropical Diseases from Federal Medical Center, Ido, Ekiti State; and Dr. Folusho Ajayi, who specialises in Research and Molecular Biotechnology from the Massasoit Community College, Massasoit Boulevard, Brockton, USA, among others.
COVID-19 preventive vaccines by Nigerian researchers now at animal trial stage
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