Audio By Carbonatix
Are you sick of being healthy? Would you like to experience the coronavirus firsthand?
Look no further than the Queen Mary BioEnterprises Innovation Centre in London, which is looking for 24 volunteers to inject with the dreaded coronavirus and participate in their flu camp.
They will be paid about $4,588 for their troubles.
This isn’t the latest twisted Stephen King novel. Rather, it’s an attempt by medical research and development company Hvivo to create a vaccine for the deadly disease which has killed more than 3,800 across the globe.
The human guinea pigs — who will receive a battery of tests before being selected — will be given two of the virus’ weaker strains, 0C43 and 229E, which should cause mild respiratory symptoms. They will then be given new or existing vaccines.
Doctors — who will wear protective clothing and ventilators — will analyze the patients’ responses to the vaccine, and the results will help researchers focus on the most effective treatments in order to fast-track them.
Aside from the actual downside of being sick, participants must stay in quarantine for two weeks, eat a restricted diet and avoid human contact and exercise.
The East London-based company is just one of 20 firms joining the global race to find a vaccine that could be ready by next winter, reports the Times of London.
“Drugs companies can get a very good idea within a few months of starting a vaccine study whether it’s working or not, using such a small sample of people,” said Andrew Catchpole, Hvivo’s chief scientist.
The testing will begin once Hvivo gets the go-ahead from UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
Latest Stories
-
Creative Canvas 2025: Documenting Ghana’s creative year beyond the noise
12 minutes -
Alhassan Suhuyini makes Christmas donations to churches within Tamale North Constituency
4 hours -
Meet 81-year-old father of UCC Acting Vice-Chancellor, who recently graduated with an MBA
4 hours -
Did you know that Ken Ofori-Atta’s lawyer, Enayat Qasimi, is the ‘Ken Ofori-Atta of Afghanistan? – Kay Codjoe writes
4 hours -
Kidnap suspect arrested in Tamale as Police rescue victim after four days
4 hours -
Tema Oil Refinery resumes crude refining after years of shutdown
5 hours -
Kojo Antwi thrills fans with regal entry, marathon performance at ‘Antwified’ concert
5 hours -
Ofori Amponsah surprises KiDi at ‘Likor On The Beach’ 2025
5 hours -
Joy FM thanks sponsors, partners and patrons after spectacular 2025 Family Party-in-the-Park
5 hours -
‘Christmas babies’ and their mothers in Volta and Oti regions receive MTN hampers
6 hours -
One dead, another injured after accident at Atwedie
6 hours -
Maggi Waakye Summit draws thousands as Ghana’s biggest waakye festival returns
7 hours -
Western Regional Minister urges Ghanaians to use Christmas to deepen national cohesion
8 hours -
Thousands turn Aburi Gardens into a festive paradise at Joy FM’s Party in the Park
8 hours -
Source of GOLDBOD’s trading funds questioned amid reported $214m loss
8 hours
