A potential vaccine against the killer coronavirus could be tested on animals as soon as next week in a breakthrough in the global fight against the outbreak.

Hundreds of experts are set to meet in Geneva next week to set research and development priorities for coronavirus drugs, diagnostics and vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today.

The scientist leading the UK's research into a jab has meanwhile announced a significant breakthrough as experts race against time to develop a vaccine.

Professor Robin Shattock, head of mucosal infection and immunity at Imperial College London, has told Sky News his team could be ready to test the vaccine on animals next week.

If enough funding is secured, the vaccine could be tested on humans by summer, he added.