A London-based tobacco company said Wednesday that it is working on a potential coronavirus vaccine through its US biotech subsidiary – with the first batches possibly ready by June, according to a report.
British American Tobacco said Kentucky BioProcessing, a division of BAT’s Reynolds American Inc., could churn out between 1 million and 3 million doses of the vaccine using proteins extracted from tobacco leaves by that time, according to Reuters.
KBP would develop the vaccine on a not-for-profit basis, according to the tobacco giant, which noted that the effort also would require support from government agencies and the right manufacturers.
The vaccine, which is undergoing pre-clinical testing, uses a cloned part of the virus’s genetic sequence to make antigens — substances that spark an immune response in the body — that is inserted into tobacco plants for reproduction, according to the news outlet.
Once harvested, the antigens are extracted, purified and then inserted into the body to fight the virus, the company said.
“We believe we have made a significant break-through with our tobacco plant technology platform and stand ready to work with governments and all stakeholders to help win the war against COVID-19,” David O’Reilly, the company’s director of scientific research, said in a statement.
British American Tobacco said it was working with the Food and Drug Administration and with British health authorities on launching clinical studies as soon as possible.
KBP also made headlines in 2014 when it developed a treatment for Ebola, developing ZMapp alongside Mapp BioPharmaceuticals. The drug has not yet received FDA approval.