정총리 "코로나19 치료제.백신 개발에 모든 지원 다할 것"

The South Korean government has pledged to spare no efforts to support for the country's pharmaceutical companies so they can develop effective treatments and vaccines against COVID-19.
Kim Hyo-sun reports.
South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Thursday sat down with medical and pharmaceutical experts to discuss policy directions for developing and securing therapeutics and vaccines against COVID-19.
The 15th round of such talks was attended by representatives of the country's vaccine developers Celltrion, SK Bioscience and Genexine.
Chung vowed the government's full support for research and development.
"The government will fully support vaccine development and securing vaccines from overseas."
The pharmaceutical companies pledged to exert full efforts to enable swift development.
Celltrion Chairman Seo Jung-jin said the company aims to have its antibody-based treatment in full development within the first half of next year at the latest,... and asked for government's support to enable swift clinical trials.
SK Bioscience chief Ahn Jae-yong also said his company will roll out a vaccine as soon as possible.
On Thursday, health officials announced new progress regarding the country's plasma therapy.
" As of August 20th, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has approved GC Pharma's clinical trial for plasma therapy, and it will be tested on COVID-19 patients at six hospitals."
So far, clinical trials for 14 COVID-19 treatments and two vaccines are under way in South Korea.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.