COVID-19 Nigeria Experts succeed first human vaccine development trial
Experts from some institutions in Nigeria, have succeeded in their Nigeria’s vision for a homegrown vaccine response to the coronavirus pandemic has received a boost from their efforts.
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These microbiologists are from the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State; Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State; Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Oyo State; University of Ilorin, Kwara State; Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The team is led by Julius Oloke, a professor of Microbiology and Biotechnology who is the vice-chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University, a private university in Ibadan, while the lead researcher is Kolawole Oladipo.
Mr Oladipo, who holds a doctorate in medical virology, immunology, and bioinformatics, is also the head of the Department of Microbiology at Adeleke University.
Although the group had no prior experience with vaccine development, some of its members had produced an immune-boosting drug, Trino IB, while others had also participated in other research activities during their study years.
According to the scientists, Trino IB, which is said to be good for the management of sickle cell, diabetes, fibroid, and other medical conditions, has been approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
Speaking on the current research effort, Mr Oladipo told a verified source that the objective of the study is for the team to contribute to scientific efforts towards fighting the pandemic, and that “we also perceive that there will be variants and the effectiveness of vaccines will vary.”
Oladipo said the group is involved in translational research, one that an average person in the community can benefit from.
He said translational research seeks to produce more meaningful, applicable results that directly benefit human health, with the simple goal of translating basic science discoveries more quickly and efficiently into practice.
Oluchi Okwuego/premium times
