Germany boosts own vaccine makers in race for COVID-19 jab

 Germany says it is providing up to 750 million euros ($892 million) to support three domestic pharmaceutical companies that are developing vaccines against new coronavirus.

Science Minister Anja Karliczek said government has alrey agreed to provide BioNTech and CureVac with 375 million euros and 230-million euros respectively to develop ir mRNA-based vaccines.

Talks with a third company, IDT Biologika, are expected to conclude soon, she said. company is developing a vector-based vaccine that delivers a coronavirus protein into cells to stimulate body's immune response.

agreement with three companies, which is tied to specific milestones, would guarantee Germany 40 million doses of vaccine. This comes on top of or vaccine supply agreements concluded through European Union, of which Germany is a member.