The new type of corona virus is spreading more and more. However, there is still no effective therapy. The pharmaceutical industry is also dampening hopes for the rapid development of a vaccine. Experts speak of at least twelve to 18 months. Gregory Glenn of the Novavax vaccine company. “It has taken us 90 days to get the gene sequence, identify the virus, start testing for Ebola and a pandemic flu vaccine. Everyone is now focused on compressing the time frame.” There are a number of hurdles to overcome before a vaccine gets out of the lab. Clinical studies need to investigate whether the vaccine not only provides immunity to the virus, but is also safe enough to be used in the population. “It usually takes 8 to 10 years for a new vaccine to be approved. Ebola has had a major breakthrough. It took four years.” At least a dozen drug companies are working on vaccines and treatment options for the disease that has killed hundreds of people so far. The cost of developing a vaccine can be up to $ 800 million. Whether that is still financially worthwhile for pharmaceutical companies is another matter entirely. By the time an effective vaccine is found, the virus may be history.
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