Studies Started in TRNC to Develop Domestic Covid-19 Vaccine

Near East University established a "Viral Vaccines Research and Production Center" by taking an important step in developing and producing vaccines that are critical for many viral diseases, especially COVID-19. Near East University, which has started working to develop the TRNC's domestic COVID-19 vaccine, will also develop vaccines for many viral diseases along with COVID-19 at the center established.

Near East University also produced the TRNC's native PCR Diagnosis and Variant Analysis kit to be used in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic and started to use it with the approval of the TRNC Minister of Health. In addition, the COVID-19 preventive nasal spray developed in partnership with Perugia University, European Biotechnology Association (EBTNA) and Italian MAGI Group has recently been made available in the TRNC.

prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “After our domestic car GÜNSEL and our own PCR kit, we will also have our own COVID-19 vaccine, which we will develop and produce with domestic resources.”

Explaining that they started the COVID-19 vaccine studies by establishing a Viral Vaccines Research and Production Center, Near East University Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “We are on the verge of a major breakthrough with the courage given by the scientific infrastructure of the Near East University and the capacity to produce science. As the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we will also have our own COVID-19 vaccine, which we will develop and produce with domestic resources, after our domestic car GÜNSEL and our own PCR kit.

Stating that the COVID-19 vaccine to be developed will make a great contribution to the TRNC's struggle to exist on the world stage, Prof. Dr. Günsel said, “The viral vaccines to be produced in our Viral Vaccines Research and Production Center will provide very important gains to our country in academic and economic terms.” Emphasizing that the basis of independence is the capacity to meet the needs of his own people, Prof. Dr. İrfan Sut Günsel said, "With this success, our Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will increase its prestige in the world, by making its name with Turkey among countries such as Germany, China, Russia, the USA and the UK, which have managed to produce a COVID-19 vaccine so far."

prof. Dr. Tamer Sanlidag: “With the Viral Vaccines Research and Production Center, we will conduct vaccine studies for many viral diseases together with the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Near East University Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ emphasized that with the Viral Vaccines Research and Production Center established, they will carry out important scientific projects by conducting vaccine studies related to many viral diseases, together with the COVID-19 vaccine. Emphasizing that the local PCR Diagnosis and Variant Analysis Kit developed by the Near East University and the COVID-19 preventive nasal spray have recently been used, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “We will undertake another unique project that will be made available to the public by developing and producing the indigenous vaccines of the TRNC, taking into account the science and public health of our university.”