Gantz visits Israel vaccine lab ahead of start of human testing

Defense Minister Benny Gantz announces that Israel’s Institute for Biological Research will begin testing a coronavirus vaccine on humans at the end of the month.

Following a visit to the shadowy national laboratory and a meeting with its head Shmuel Shapira, Gantz reveals the name of the vaccine: Brilife, a portmanteau of the Hebrew word for health — bri’ut — and life.

“We are at a very significant moment,” Gantz says. “Prof. Shapira and the entire team have done fantastic work. They are the scientific forefront of the State of Israel and they have brought this vaccine to the stage where we can soon begin trials on human beings.”

Shapira says the institute began working on a vaccine on February 2 and that it is nearing completion now.

“If this process succeeds, it will be great news for the State of Israel and maybe for all nations of the world,” Gantz says.

— Judah Ari Gross