Belarusian scientists expect to develop a prototype vaccine against COVID-19 by the end of August. This was stated today at a session of the general meeting of the National Academy of Sciences by the Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS, Academician Vladimir Gusakov, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
Belarusian scientists expect to develop a prototype vaccine against COVID-19 by the end of August. This was stated today at a session of the general meeting of the National Academy of Sciences by the Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS, Academician Vladimir Gusakov, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
"We are currently actively working on a vaccine against coronavirus infection. And by the end of August, we will be able to report on the development of a prototype Belarusian vaccine," said Vladimir Gusakov. "In addition, we are working on the development of drugs to combat COVID, which will be used after a person has fallen ill, to make the disease milder, as well as on drugs that could neutralize the infection." According to him, a joint group consisting of specialists from the Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Health has been created for such developments.
Summarizing the results of the past year and the five-year period, he said that much has been done during this time. "In particular, a new project for a remote sensing spacecraft has been developed, and we are now ready to start its creation. Our expedition in Antarctica has successfully completed its mission and is already returning. In agriculture, a whole range of the latest plant varieties and machinery has been created, which are not inferior to foreign analogues in terms of technology, etc. We have demonstrated our developments in the field of electric transport, nanomaterials in various fields, including energy storage devices, and others," explained Vladimir Gusakov.
In addition, seven unified priorities in the field of science and scientific and technical activities have been approved, and 12 fundamental research programs for the upcoming five-year period have been developed, which include both the aforementioned areas and broader tasks.
"We definitely take into account the country's requirements, the government's proposals, and, of course, the instructions of the head of state that are set for the Academy of Sciences. In general, we will work in the context of the tasks of the VI All-Belarusian People's Congress," emphasized the Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS.
Speaking about the plans for the near future, Vladimir Gusakov noted that this year it is planned to launch projects on hydrogen energy and the creation of a supercapacitor (electricity storage). "We are developing new generation drugs for oncological and hypotensive action, as well as a whole range of biological drugs for regulating plant growth. In addition, the creation of the latest crop varieties is planned, and work has begun on breeding a new breed of cattle," he added.