Iran on Sunday unveiled its second homegrown COVID-19 vaccine, based on a recombinant protein that can be injected or inhaled, authorities said.

Axar.az reports that the COV-Pars vaccine, developed by the country's oldest scientific research center, Razi Vaccine, and Serum Research Institute, is expected to undergo human trials from Monday.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Tehran, Iran's Health Minister Saeed Namaki expressed hope that the country will emerge as a "hub of vaccine production" in the coming months.

It is the second homegrown vaccine that has reached the human trials phase, after CovIran, which is developed by Baraket Pharmaceutical Group allied with a government organization.

The vaccines have been developed under the supervision of Iran's Health Ministry and in compliance with standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), officials said.