Israel's Defence lab starts testing COVID-19 vaccine

Israel has begun testing a COVID-19 vaccine prototype on rodents at its biochemical defence laboratory, a source said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR), in rural Ness Ziona, to join the fight against the coronavirus pandemic on Feb. 1, prompting an easing of its secrecy as it cooperates with civilian scientists and private firms.

In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said IIBR Director Shmuel Shapira had informed him of “significant progress” in designing a vaccine prototype and that the institute “is now preparing a model for commencing an animal trial”.

A source familiar with IIBR activities told that trials were already under way on rodents. The source declined to identify the kind of rodent.

IIBR Chief Innovation Officer Eran Zahavy, in rare public comments, said last week that the institute had shifted its entire focus to the new coronavirus, with three groups trying to develop a vaccine against the COVID-19 disease it causes, and others researching potential treatments.

Israel has reported 4,473 cases of COVID-19 and 17 fatalities. Having tightened restrictions on public movement, Netanyahu is weighing a lockdown of parts of the country.

Both Netanyahu and the Chief of Israel’s military, Lieutenant-General Aviv Kohavi, went into self-isolation this week after being exposed to coronavirus carriers. Netanyahu tested negative for the virus on Monday. Test results for Kohavi are pending, the military said.

 “It’s not enough only to detect neutralizing antibodies in the animal. You really want to see them getting sick and getting better by this vaccine,” said Zahavy.

The IIBR has a “unique animal” for such tests, he said, as well as “a very unique technology to detect animals - even if they are not really sick - to follow them and see their interaction with the disease”. He did not elaborate.

The IIBR is also involved in plasma collection from people who have recovered from infection with the new coronavirus, in the hope that this might help research.

Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said the IIBR was sampling several COVID-19 testing kits on offer before the country orders them en masse.