A researcher demonstrates the process of novel coronavirus mRNA vaccine development. (Photo/China News Service)

State-owned pharmaceutical enterprises in Beijing and Wuhan are developing novel-coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines to address the epidemic, a spokesman said at a press conference held by the State Council on Tuesday.

The cultivation of inactivated vaccine is underway, he said.

China is speeding up production of chloroquine phosphate, an antimalarial drug, which has a certain curative effect on the novel coronavirus pneumonia.

The epidemic outbreak has resulted in 1,868 deaths on the Chinese mainland with 72,436 people infected and 11,741 people still in critical condition as of Monday.

China National Biotec Group, subordinate to Sinopharm Group, has produced a total of 1 million nucleic acid testing kits.

China is testing different types of vaccines against the novel coronavirus, and some, including a recombinant protein vaccine, have entered animal trials, according to previous report.

The use of pharmaceuticals proved effective will be further promoted, according to a statement released on Monday.