Israeli Minister affirms “progress” in the development of antibodies against coronavirus

A health worker collects samples for the new coronavirus test from a foreign worker in a wet market in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Israel’s main biological research institute IIBR has made “significant progress” in developing an antibody against the new coronavirus that can attack the virus and neutralize it within the bodies of those who contract it, the country’s defense minister confirmed, Naftali Bennett, PTI news agency posted.

A statement issued by Bennet’s office said that the Israel Biological Research Institute (IIBR), mandated to develop a coronavirus vaccine, has isolated an antibody “that attacks the virus monoclonally and can neutralize it within bodies of the sick. “

“I am proud of the institute staff for this breakthrough,” said Bennett, adding that “their creativity and Jewish mind sparked this incredible achievement.”

The statement, however, did not clarify whether human trials were conducted for the vaccine. According to PTI, the IIBR has conducted some clinical trials. The researchers have identified the protein that is efficient in killing the virus in a patient’s body, and the institute will soon publish an article on the findings, PTI said.

Declaration issued by @naftalibennett https://t.co/tib0DgvJPE

– Amichai Stein (@ AmichaiStein1) May 4, 2020

Similar reports from the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz in early March revealed that scientists at the institute had made significant progress in understanding the biological mechanism and qualities of the virus, including better diagnostic capacity, antibody production for those who they already have the virus. and development of a vaccine. However, the Defense Ministry had denied any progress back then, stating that “if and when there is something to report, it will be done in an orderly manner.”

Citing the Ynet news portal, PTI said that five shipments of virus samples arrived in Israel from Japan, Italy and other countries in February. They were brought by an especially safe Defense Ministry courier service to IIBR and had been frozen at -80 degrees Celsius. There has been intensive work, including by leading experts, to develop the vaccine since then.

The IIBR is under the supervision of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, but is in close communication with the Defense Ministry.

Scientists and research teams around the world are trying to develop a vaccine for Covid-19, as virus-related deaths have so far reached 252,102 and infections worldwide have risen to more than 3.6 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

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