Events

10 Jun 2020

Belarus invites Russia to join forces in developing coronavirus vaccine

Vladimir Gusakov. An archive photo

MINSK, 10 June (BelTA) - Belarusian scientists invite Russian colleagues to join forces in developing a vaccine for coronavirus, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) Vladimir Gusakov told the media before the video conference of the NASB and the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) “Coronavirus infection: Fundamental, clinical and epidemiological aspects. Social and economic challenges to healthcare”, BelTA has learned.

“Russian scientists (not only those from the Academy of Sciences) have reportedly developed a number of vaccines and are testing them. But how effective they are is still difficult to say. The tests are still ongoing. In Belarus, scientists have focused on this. Therefore, I will propose that we join forces. Maybe this will help us make this vaccine, carry out tests and provide delivery if necessary,” Vladimir Gusakov said.

In addition, scientists can join forces in the development of direct action drugs for coronavirus, methods of treatments for COVID-19. “Today there are no such effective, unambiguous drugs,” he said.

Vladimir Gusakov noted that this is the first video conference with colleagues from the RAS on coronavirus. “We have not yet established extensive cooperation in this area. We worked more in the fields of space, new materials, agriculture, biotechnology,” the NASB head said. “I will offer cooperation in a number of areas of fundamental and applied research. I think that Russian colleagues will also make offers on the joint work.” The NASB will propose to formalize the initiatives in a joint plan of action to overcome coronavirus for 2020-2021.

Belarusian scientists also want to study the COVID-19 properties. “There are a lot of coronavirus diseases. However, this is the first time such a modification has emerged. It is a rather insidious disease. It also uses the human body to protect its existence and development. These are unusual phenomena and properties, which should be studied,” said Vladimir Gusakov.

According to him, the Academy of Sciences, never mind the system of the Healthcare Ministry, has developed a number of antiviral drugs, drugs for preventive action. They were developed before the pandemic and have a common antiviral use, not specifically against COVID-19. “We are currently working in this direction, i.e. drugs based on the virus properties. It is not easy. The virus turned out to be very insidious and very difficult to understand,” the chairman of the Presidium of the NASB explained.

A joint session of the presidiums of the Belarusian and Russian Academies of Sciences is due to take place in the autumn. Vladimir Gusakov hopes that the situation with the pandemic will stabilize by that time and the meeting will take place in Belarus.

He recalled that a scientific council on virology of the International Association of the Academies of Sciences (IAAS) was set up at the initiative of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The purpose of the scientific council is to organize and implement joint research, provide scientific expertise.

Speaking about international cooperation to beat the coronavirus, Vladimir Gusakov emphasized that cooperation and joint actions have always been effective. No country in the world can work on serious issues alone. For instance, the USA runs its laboratories on the international principle, with scientists from many countries including China, India, Russia and Belarus working there. These are international laboratories. Belarus also tries to work in cooperation with foreign scientific centers in various areas, the head of the National Academy of Sciences added.



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