There are hopes a UK-made coronavirus vaccine could be given to NHS workers and vulnerable Britons by the end of the year. Professor Robin Shattock, who is leading a team at Imperial College London, said it already has a supply chain that could make up to 40 million doses by December 31.
His group is one of hundreds around the world who are in a race to develop a vaccine that, it is hoped, would bring an end to the pandemic that has killed at least 165,000 people.
A team at Oxford University hopes to begin human trials of a potential vaccine this week and Professor Shattock's group expects to begin its trials in June.
Professor Shattock, head of mucosal infection and immunity in the department of medicine at Imperial College, told Sky News: