As the search for the coronavirus vaccine continues, several local companies are at the heart of this crucially important process, writes Joseph N. DiStefano for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Just how much importance is being put on finding a vaccine as soon as possible is evident from the CARES Act, which has set aside $27 billion for vaccines and protective gear.

This is good news for the Philadelphia region, which is the historic center of vaccine science.

Maurice Hilleman’s labs at Merck, the pharmaceutical giant with over 10,000 employees in Montgomery County, already develops preventives for various diseases, including measles, mumps, meningitis, hepatitis, pneumonia, and flu.

Many other organizations and companies in the region for example also specialize and focus on vaccines against polio and rabies. Meanwhile, scientists at Merck and GlaxoSmithKline – which also has a large presence in Montgomery County – remain centered on a new generation of vaccines at its local facilities.

Smaller companies, such as Fort Washington-based Inovio Pharmaceuticals, are also participating in the search for a vaccine. Inovio has recently announced an accelerated coronavirus vaccine schedule helped by funding from the U.S. military.

Read more about the search for coronavirus vaccine at The Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.

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Top photo credit: verchmarco Close Up Bokeh Photo of Syringe, Ampoule on white Table via photopin (license)

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