Pilot testing of potential COVID-19 vaccine progresses

Pilot testing of the mRNA vaccine on primates has been launched, said Zhang Quan, director of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, during a news conference on Monday.

Zhang said the pilot testing of the vaccine, which can be used against the novel coronavirus, will be focused on animal toxicology and the vaccine's effectiveness. Clinical trials are expected to start in mid-April.

The development of another virus-like particle vaccine has also made progress during its tests on mice, with scientists discovering a specific antibody in lab mice that could be useful in fighting the COVID-19 virus, he added.