AI-designed vaccine tested in humans for the first time
via Business News2 min read
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have announced a significant development in vaccine technology: for the first time, a vaccine with its main antigen entirely designed by artificial intelligence has been tested in humans. This innovation represents a departure from traditional vaccine design methods, which typically target a specific virus or one of its variants. The British team utilized AI to identify common characteristics across an entire family of coronaviruses, aiming to create an antigen capable of triggering a broad-spectrum immune response. The experimental vaccine targets sarbecoviruses, a family that includes SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2003 SARS virus, and several coronaviruses found in bats that scientists consider potential future threats. Initial results from a clinical trial involving 39 volunteers are encouraging, with researchers indicating the vaccine was well-tolerated and induced an immune response against several different coronaviruses. This first phase primarily aimed to verify the product's safety before evaluating its efficacy on a larger scale. Scientists believe this technology could pave the way for a new generation of vaccines offering protection against viruses not yet present in humans or those that have not yet emerged. A second phase of clinical trials is planned with approximately 200 participants to confirm these results and more precisely measure the vaccine's performance. If successful, this a
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On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Tunisia's Ministry of Health announced a new national project aimed at strengthening social inclusion for young people and preventing addictive behaviors. The initiative, presented by Minister of Health Mustapha Ferjani, involves collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Swiss Embassy in Tunisia. The program targets children and young people aged 10 to 25, with a focus on vulnerable groups, to intervene proactively before risky situations become entrenched. Key components include developing life skills and social aptitudes, promoting healthy behaviors, and enhancing integration into family, school, and professional environments. Minister Ferjani emphasized that addiction is a collective issue requiring broad engagement, including training health and education professionals and providing scientific, psychological, and social support tailored to youth needs. The Ministry views prevention as crucial for limiting addiction and its impact on young Tunisians' lives, acknowledging the support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Switzerland in this international partnership to bolster prevention efforts and public policies for youth well-being.
Must ReadMoataz Raslan, president of the Egyptian Council for International Cooperation, announced the upcoming creation of a Tunisian-Egyptian Business Council during his visit to Tunisia. This new structure aims to invigorate trade between the two countries and enhance access to African markets for Tunisian and Egyptian businesses. Raslan's visit, at the invitation of the African Center of Excellence for Inclusive Markets, aligns with a memorandum of understanding to strengthen trade between Egypt and African nations. The objective is to foster new business opportunities, encourage investments, and promote partnerships among African economic operators. Raslan emphasized the need to improve communication between the Tunisian and Egyptian business communities to build more effective bridges and facilitate joint projects. He believes the current climate offers a favorable opportunity to revitalize economic cooperation, transforming historical and political ties into concrete, sustainable, and value-creating economic partnerships. The Business Council will serve as a permanent dialogue platform, facilitating investor contacts and identifying new cooperation avenues. Its ambition is to enable Tunisian and Egyptian companies to collaborate more effectively and develop a common strategy for accessing African markets. Raslan also extended an official invitation to a Tunisian minister and a delegation of Tunisian businesspeople for an upcoming economic mission to Egypt, aiming to explore inv
Houcine Rhili, a water resources expert, has criticized the Tunisian government's recently announced measures to secure drinking water supply for the summer and accelerate the 2050 national water strategy. Speaking on Express FM on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Rhili stated that many of the decisions are late and merely rehashes of previously announced measures. He noted that while the goal of ensuring continuous water distribution is legitimate, its implementation is compromised by delays. Rhili suggested such a council meeting should have occurred in February or March, leaving little time for significant impact this summer. He also pointed out that some presented "new" provisions, like mandatory rainwater harvesting in new developments, already exist in earlier texts, citing a 2018 agreement between the Ministries of Equipment and Agriculture. Rhili emphasized that the core issue is not new announcements but effective implementation. He highlighted persistent administrative and institutional blockages in the water sector, questioning the accountability for delays, particularly regarding the reuse of treated wastewater. Rhili noted that despite this issue being on ministerial agendas for over two decades, more than 300 million cubic meters of treated water are annually discharged, a waste incompatible with Tunisia's increasing water stress. These criticisms follow the government's announcement of a 58 million dinar emergency program with 81 projects and an ambitious 74.5 billion