To expedite the development of vaccines for infectious diseases such as the new coronavirus, the government created a new base on the 22nd to continue cutting-edge research and development.
On the 22nd, the government established the Advanced Research and Development Strategy Center = SCARDA within the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
The center collects information on the latest domestic and overseas research and development on research and development of vaccines for infectious diseases such as the new corona virus, incorporates know-how and raises funds, and concentrates on promising research projects of industry, academia and government. We will support the development of domestic vaccines by investing money.
Regarding the vaccine for the new coronavirus, the United States and the United Kingdom have taken a major lead in the development, and since the inoculation in Japan depends on the imported vaccine, there is an urgent need to strengthen the domestic development base.
The government hopes that the establishment of the center will lead to the rapid development of vaccines in an emergency, and from the 22nd, it has begun to solicit research projects to be supported.
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 22nd, Minister of State for Science and Technology Kobayashi, who is in charge of health and medical strategy, said, "We would like to make great strides in the research and development of domestic vaccines, which are also important for economic security."