Italy's hopes of producing its own Covid-19 vaccine have been given a boost after local biotech firm ReiThera said its vaccine candidate showed a strong immune response and no major side effects in intermediate Phase 2 clinical trials.

The vaccine, called GRAd-COV2, induced an antibody response against the Sars-CoV-2 spike protein in over 93 per cent of volunteers three weeks after the first dose, reaching 99pc after the second dose, the company said in a statement, according to a Reuters report.

“Our vaccine candidate confirmed its excellent safety and good immunogenicity profile in a large cohort,” ReiThera medical director Roberto Camerini said, adding the company hoped to be able to start Phase 3 trials as soon as possible.