Scientists In Montreal Have Made 'Good Progress' On A COVID-19 Vaccine

Montreal scientists say they're "making good progress" on a COVID-19 vaccine and expect to start pre-clinical trials on animals as soon as this summer.

Even more impressive is that the team behind the potential vaccine is doing all this work from home, "using state-of-the-art computer simulations and artificial intelligence," according to a statement.

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We’re able to develop a vaccine that will have a long-lasting immune response independent of one’s age, gender or background.

Concordia Professor Gilles Peslherbe

Two of the researchers involved in the project, Drs. Gurudeeban Selvaraj and Satyavani Kaliamurthi, actually arrived in Montreal for a 24-week internship program but saw their stay extended at the beginning of the crisis, Mitacs, the non-profit that organized the internship, explained.

Concordia professor Gilles Peslherbe said that his team's approach has enabled them to "develop a vaccine that will have a long-lasting immune response independent of one’s age, gender or background."

"We have been able to progress so quickly because the interns and partners bring unique expertise that has enabled our research to propel forward," he said.