¡¡¡¡BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhuanet) -- China's Vice-Minister of Science and Technology Li Xueyong said Wednesday that the country has made key progress in vaccines, drugs and diagnostic kits for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

¡¡¡¡The science sector had achieved significant progress, including the development of a primate infection model, said Li, who is also the deputy team leader of the science and technology group attached to the national anti-SARS command team.

¡¡¡¡The laboratory preparation for two types of inactivated vaccines had been completed and the test of inactivated vaccines on primate animals were underway successfully, he said.

¡¡¡¡Headway had also been made in diagnostic kits and genetic chips,which were being clinically evaluated, Li said.

¡¡¡¡The therapy, which combined traditional Chinese and Western medicines, had showed noticeable effects, Li said, adding that bio-protection products and bio-protection equipment had been developed and have effectively helped reduce infections by health workers.

¡¡¡¡The achievements in epidemiology research had provided a reliable base for disease control measures, he said, adding a research platform for SARS prevention, control and treatment had taken initial shape.

¡¡¡¡In particular, the assessment of P3 laboratories, featuring higher bio-safety levels, had been completed, and related construction work had been finished to meet the needs of laboratories dedicated to research of SARS prevention, control andtreatment, he said. Enditem