British American Tobacco is ready to test its potential COVID-19 vaccine on humans after pre-clinical trials showed positive results, reports Reuters.

The company has now submitted a pre-investigative new drug application for the potential vaccine, which uses proteins from tobacco leaves, to the US Food and Drug administration (FDA). According to Reuters, BAT says that once it receives approval from the FDA it will move on to testing the vaccine on humans. The company also revealed it had committed funds to conduct clinical trials which it expects to start in late June.
Companies across the world have been working on a vaccine for COVID-19 since the coronavirus broke out earlier this year with experts saying it could take around 12 to 18 months to develop. BAT had previously stated that it could produce 1 to 3 million doses of its vaccine per week if it got support from the government and the appropriate manufacturers.