Major pharmaceutical company Shionogi & Co. plans to start supplying a vaccine against the new coronavirus mainly to healthcare workers in January 2021, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
To ensure supply, clinical testing of the new vaccine needs to proceed smoothly, Shionogi President Isao Teshirogi said. The company hopes to start supplying the vaccine to the general public around autumn 2021, after expanding its production system.
According to Teshirogi, the company has been developing the vaccine by making protein antigens through the use of insect cells and other components, in cooperation with parties including the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Tokyo.
Shionogi plans to start producing a vaccine for trial in late July and begin clinical testing by the end of this year.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
