The Ebola vaccine that was developed by Chinese military scientists is made to withstand conditions in West African countries, where the virus has done the most damage. (Photo : REUTERS)
Tianjin CanSino Biotechnology Inc., a Chinese private biotechnology company, plans to start mass-producing a vaccine that was developed by Chinese military scientists to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus, according to a report by the Global Times.
The company has started constructing an industry base in the Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area to produce the Ebola vaccine, according to statements provided company sources on Wednesday.
The company is investing a total of 2 billion yuan (roughly $317 million) in the construction of the base. Construction is expected to be finished by Sept. 2018.
There will also be other vaccines produced at the base, such as those against pneumonia, meningitis and tuberculosis.
There will be an estimated 200 million vaccines produced at the base every year.
A team of biotechnology experts with the Chinese Academy of Military Medical Sciences developed the Ebola vaccine based on the 2014 mutant gene type. It comes in the form of a freeze-dried powder, which allows it to stay stable in temperatures of up to 37 degrees Celsius for at least two weeks.
According to experts, the Ebola vaccine is capable of withstanding the tropical climate of West African countries, where the deadly Ebola epidemic outbreak has killed over 11,297 people since 2014.
According to Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health, the vaccine is proven "clinically safe." Sierra Leone is one of the three countries worst hit by the Ebola virus, together with Liberia and Guinea.
China has already offered $120 million in aid and 500 medical staff and experts in order to assist countries affected by the Ebola epidemic.
