By United with Israel Staff
On Monday, the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) announced that phase 2 of its coronavirus vaccine clinical trials had been approved.
“The second phase of the clinical trials is expected to begin in the coming days with the participation of approximately 1,000 volunteers,” announced an IIBR statement. “The trial will take place at Sheba and Hadassah Medical Centers and will gradually expand to additional medical centers throughout the country.”
Defense Minister Benny Gantz commented, “The scientists of the IIBR are Israel’s ‘elite unit,’ and have taken on an extremely important task – saving human lives. I see great importance in the development of an Israeli vaccine that will continue to serve Israeli society for years to come.”
“The Ministry of Health approved the continuation of clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the [IIBR}], following the successful completion of the first phase,” continued the IIBR statement. “During the first phase, no significant side effects were identified, and two expert committees, both internal and external recommended the approval of the second phase. As such, the institute completed all the necessary preparations and is ready for the immediate launch of the second phase. ”
The second phase of the trial will be conducted over a period of several months, and will include “extensive safety tests” on healthy volunteers aged 18 and over.
“In this phase, scientists aim to complete vaccine safety precautions, determine effective dosage, and further determine the vaccine’s effectiveness. Its success will enable a large-scale trial to test the effectiveness of the vaccine with the participation of up to 30,000 volunteers (Phase 3) in Israel and/or abroad,” concluded the IIBR statement.
