An experimental coronavirus vaccine based on tobacco could be trialled in humans as early as next month.
British American Tobacco ’s biotech subsidiary, Kentucky BioProcessing (KBP), uses tobacco plants to make the vaccine, which is derived from the genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2.
According to the firm, this method generates the vaccine much faster than other techniques.
Explaining the benefits of its vaccine, British American Tobacco said: “It is potentially safer given that tobacco plants can’t host pathogens which cause human disease.
“It is faster because the elements of the vaccine accumulate in tobacco plants much more quickly – 6 weeks in tobacco plants versus several months using conventional methods.
“The vaccine formulation KBP is developing remains stable at room temperature, unlike conventional vaccines which often require refrigeration.
“It has the potential to deliver an effective immune response in a single dose.”
According to British American Tobacco, the vaccine has been undergoing pre-clinical trials since April, with positive initial results.
It explained: “Since [April], we have been completing pre-clinical testing and are pleased to report the potential vaccine has been shown to produce a positive immune response.
“As such, the vaccine candidate is now poised to progress to the next stage which will be Phase 1 human clinical trials pending FDA authorisation.”
The tobacco-based vaccine is just one of many being developed by scientists around the world.
One vaccine is currently being tested at the University of Oxford, with plans in place to roll it out to 30 million people by September if trials are successful.
Speaking at Sunday's Downing Street news conference, Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “In order to definitively conquer this disease we need to find a safe, workable vaccine.
"Last month I announced a new vaccine task force to co-ordinate the efforts of government, academia and industry in the critical mission to find a vaccine.
"I'm very proud of how quickly our scientists and researchers have come together in their efforts developing a vaccine that will combat coronavirus."
