As coronavirus cases soar past the 1.2 million infected mark, scientists and researchers around the world are scrambling to come up with a viable vaccine that can fight back against the disease.
Here are three of the most promising avenues for a cure or preventative vaccine:
Australia
Australian Scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) started their first pre-clinical tests for a vaccine on ferrets with results as early as June, according to BBC reports.
If pre-clinical trials prove successful, they will enter clinical trial which could take up to 18-months before public use due to tests and regulations.
Australia has one of the highest case counts in Asia Pacific with 5,345 confirmed infections and 34 deaths.
The United States
The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine published research about a potential vaccine earlier this month that showed promising signs based on results from testing on mice. The tests produced antibodies that seemed to successfully fight the virus. The first phase of clinical trials could start by the end of the year.
Past experience with other coronaviruses including MERs and SARs have helped scientists in identifying and creating antibodies that are successful against Covid-19.
The United States has the highest number of infections in the world at 311,635 cases. Over 8,454 people have died in the US from the disease.
China
Reuters reported on Wednesday that Chinese scientists have made great progress in its fight against the virus.
The virus originated in Wuhan, China, and the country was the first to see a major outbreak.
According to Reuters, the Chinese research team “have isolated several antibodies that are extremely effective in blocking the ability of the new coronavirus to enter cells, which could eventually be helpful in treating and preventing Covid-19.”
Studying the antibodies from the blood taken from Covid-19 patients, researchers are trying to find the strongest of the antibodies in order to “combine them and mitigate the risk of the new coronavirus mutating.”
The NHK reported that Chinese government researchers are also having success with the anti-flu drug Avigan. In clinical tests, the drug eased Covid-19 symptoms with some testing negative for the virus after four days. Licensed firms in China now have government approval for the mass-production of the drug.