Iran Confirms Soberana-02 COVID-19 Vaccine Study

The Tehran Times reported the Soberana-02 COVID-19 vaccine would complete clinical trials by mid-June 2021 after administering it to 24,000 Iranians. The two first phases of the human clinical trial have been conducted in Cuba.

Developed by Cuba's Finlay Vaccine Institute and Pasteur Institute of Iran, the vaccine is a conjugate vaccine with two injectable doses. It consists of the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein conjugated chemically to tetanus toxoid.

In Iran, the study was performed on a population of 18 to 80 years in seven provinces and eight cities across the country, Alireza Biglari, director of the Pasture Institute of Iran, stated. He expressed hope to analyze the preliminary results in late June to obtain a license for mass production.

He expressed hope to start vaccinating Iran's population by late September 2021.