US Researchers Begin Second Trial of Possible Coronavirus Vaccine ISO-4800

US researchers have begun their second trial for an experimental vaccine code-named INO-4800, developed by Inovio Pharmaceuticals. The experiment and subsequent tests are part of a global mission to develop a successful vaccine against COVID-19, which has been causing havoc around the world – shutting down economies and forcing people indoors. 

Skin-Deep COVID-19 Vaccine 

The second trial testing involves two doses of its vaccine administered to 40 healthy volunteers. The experiment will serve as a benchmark to determine whether or not it’s safe enough to proceed to bigger tests to see if the vaccine works against COVID-19 or not. 

“It’s the most important trial that we’ve ever done. People are beating down the door to get into this trial,” Dr. John Ervin of the Center for Pharmaceutical Research told the Associated Press. 

Inovio’s is not the only vaccine in development, as teams all around the world are working on their own experiments. Nonetheless, a majority of them follow the same principle – using a spike protein that studs the surface of the virus and helps it invade human cells. Inovio research and development chief Kate Broderick compared it to giving our organism a wanted poster to recognize the enemy. 

After the skin-deep injection, a device must be held over the spot, giving a little electrical zap – utilizing new DNA vaccine technology, which helps the vaccine itself penetrate more easily. 

Despite the progress being made on vaccines around the world, it’s unlikely that we’ll be seeing one this year, as it’s expected that most will take at least 12 months before being widely available.