COVID-19: Request filed for testing on all-Brazilian vaccine

Brazil’s Minister of Science and Technology Marcos Pontes said that an authorization request has been lodged at the country’s national sanitary regulator Anvisa for the clinical trials on vaccine Versamuni, against COVID-19, developed by the University of São Paulo with all-Brazilian technology.

A total of 360 patients should take part in phases 1 and 2, when the vaccine’s safety is gauged, before phase 3, on efficiency. “Our idea is to have results by the end of the year, so we may have the vaccine entering the market this year.”

The minister spoke during President Jair Bolsonaro’s live broadcast on Thursday (Apr. 22). The challenge, he argued, lies in the lack of resources, as the funding for research is still not guaranteed by the national budget. He noted that $5.45 million are earmarked for phases 1 and 2 and another $56.39 million for phase 3, in which 25 thousand patients should participate.

“I hope it becomes part of the budget, so that we can use it not just in this project, but also in other domestic drugs,” he said. One of the drugs, he explained, is being developed specifically for treating COVID-19.

Still during the broadcast, President Jair Bolsonaro explained that the budget for all 23 ministries is fairly small and is reduced every year.

“We’ve had a problem with the budget this year, so a major slash should take place, as I see it, for all ministries. Everyone should pay part of this bill,” he said. The president also stated he will try to interfere along with Economy Minister Paulo Guedes, in order to ensure funding for research.