Candidate Vaccine for COVID-19 Developed in DPRK

The Medical Biology Institute under the Academy of Medical Science in the DPRK succeeded in developing a recombinant subunit vaccine for COVID-19.

The vaccine is designed on the basis of gene sequence of virus spike protein which binds Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), the receptor for SARS-CoV-2.

The safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine was verified through animal testing. Its clinical trial has started from early July 2020.

As there is not a single case of COVID-19 in the country, the clinical trial phase III is under discussion.

The Bioengineering Branch of the State Academy of Sciences, too, is carrying on the research into a candidate vaccine for COVID-19.