THE Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will conduct clinical trials for two locally produced vaccines via the establishment of the Malaysian Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI).

Minister Dr Adham Baba said the two vaccines – for cholera and nasopharyngeal cancer – will undergo clinical trials in India and the United Kingdom as early as next year.

“We are also in the process of developing a Covid-19 vaccine. This is being jointly carried out by the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) and Universiti Malaya.

“With the establishment of MGVI, Malaysia will be able to become a hub for the production of vaccines, which can be used abroad or domestically.”

On November 1, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob launched the National Vaccine Development Roadmap and MGVI in an effort to turn the country into a vaccine production hub.

Meanwhile, the Covid-19 Screening and Monitoring Mobile Device (i-Breath) is expected to be commercialised by next June. It has now entered the final pre-clinical phase.

“The i-Breath will enter clinical trial, which comprises several phases, for six months before it is ready to be commercialised and marketed. We aim for this device to be used not only locally, but also internationally,” said Adham.

The ministry, in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, has allocated RM1.05 million to develop i-Breath – a device that can detect the presence of Covid-19, with a sensitivity rate of up to 93%. – Bernama, November 29, 2021.