Scientists at the Israel Institute for Biological Research in Ness Ziona are closing in on a vaccine for coronavirus, officials tell Hebrew media, though such a vaccine will require many months before it can go public.

Haaretz and Channel 12 news report that Israeli scientists are hard at work on medical solutions to the COVID-19 illness, though medicine will probably take up to a year to receive approval for public use.

The Defense Ministry, which is responsible for the institute, largely denied the reports, saying that “there has been no breakthrough in the efforts of the Institute for Biological Research to find a vaccine for the coronavirus or to develop a testing kit.”

In a statement, the ministry said the process of developing a vaccine would take time, but that it was operating on schedule.

According to the ministry, more than 50 “experienced scientists” were taking part in the effort.

“If and when there is something to report, this will be done in an orderly manner,” the ministry said.