2 Saudi Labs Research Potential COVID-19 Vaccines

A test tube with coronavirus name label is seen in this illustration taken on January 29, 2020. (Reuters)
A test tube with coronavirus name label is seen in this illustration taken on January 29, 2020. (Reuters)
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2 Saudi Labs Research Potential COVID-19 Vaccines

A test tube with coronavirus name label is seen in this illustration taken on January 29, 2020. (Reuters)
A test tube with coronavirus name label is seen in this illustration taken on January 29, 2020. (Reuters)

A Saudi government official announced that two labs in the Kingdom were carrying out research for potential vaccines for the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 25,000 people in Saudi Arabia.

Seven hospitals are carrying out lab tests for medicine that may treat patients infected with COVID-19, said Dr. Abdullah Asiri, Assistant Deputy Minister for Preventive Health at the Ministry of Health, during a press conference in Riyadh on Sunday.

He said that the Saudi clinical trial, whose launch was announced on Saturday, is aimed at testing a number of treatment protocols that have been proven effective in preliminary testing, whether at labs or in previous studies on volunteers.

The studies are part of a global alliance led by the World Health Organization and launched weeks ago in order to speed up research that could cure coronavirus patients, he said. He spoke of four protocols, three of which are antiviral drugs that were developed to treat various viruses and have a variety of uses.

It remains to be seen whether they will be effective against COVID-19, which is what persuaded Saudi Arabia to join the alliance, along with several other nations, to test these drugs, Asiri said.

He added that COVID-19 patients, who have developed respiratory infections and are admitted to one of the seven hospitals taking part in the study, will be entered into the clinical trial to determine how effective these drugs are.

The duration of the study will vary depending on how responsive the patients are to the treatment, he continued.

“We expect to receive preliminary results within a few weeks. They will help us determine whether these drugs are effective in treating the virus,” he stressed.

Several facilities are carrying out research outside the clinical trials, he revealed. They include the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Fahd Medical Research Center at King Abdulaziz University, Medical City at King Saud University and King Faisal Specialist Hospital.

Two labs are researching potential vaccines for COVID-19 and they have made strides in this regard, Asiri said. They are expected to contribute in the global effort to develop an effective vaccine for the virus.



Saudi Arabia Re-Elected as Chair of SMIIC Board for Third Consecutive Term

file photo of the Saudi flag - SPA
file photo of the Saudi flag - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Re-Elected as Chair of SMIIC Board for Third Consecutive Term

file photo of the Saudi flag - SPA
file photo of the Saudi flag - SPA

The member states of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) reaffirmed their confidence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by electing it as Chairman of the Board of Directors for a third consecutive term (2025–2027) during the 29th meeting of the SMIIC Board of Directors, held in Madinah with representatives from 13 member countries.

The Kingdom’s election underscores its leadership in standardization efforts across the Islamic world, its effective role in fostering technical cooperation, and its commitment to strengthening quality infrastructure to support the economic growth of member states, SPA reported.

Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) Governor Dr. Saad Al-Kasabi expressed his pride in this show of confidence, emphasizing the Kingdom’s commitment to continuing its support for SMIIC’s efforts and enhancing joint technical work through the development of a legislative framework for standardization activities.