Several research centres and biotechnology labs across the globe rush against the clock to manufacture a vaccine for the novel COVID-19 as the world is stuck in turmoil with an
increasing number of cases. Out of the hundreds of vaccines being developed, only 10 have made it to human trials.
“India vaccine race”
In India itself, at least 6 companies are working towards developing a vaccine. One of the most promising projects is a collaboration project of Bharat Biotech and foreign partners.
India has joined the race towards building a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, as the apex medical research body in the country, ICMR, joined hands with Bharat Biotech to make the first indigenous coronavirus vaccine in the country.
“ICMR statement”
According to a statement issued by ICMR, the team will use the virus strain isolated at ICMR’s National Institute of Virology, Pune, to design the vaccine further.
The ICMR has also tweeted about the collaboration, on their official handle on the
microblogging site. The tweet read, “@ICMRDELHI has transferred the #Covid_19 strain
isolated at @icmr_niv to @bharatbiotech. We will be partnering with them to develop an
indigenous #Covid_19 vaccine! #icmrfightscovid19 #IndiaFightsCoronavirus
@MoHFW_INDIA MakeInIndia”.
“Transfering of strain”
“The strain has been successfully transferred from NIV to Bharat Biotech International Ltd (BBIL). Work on vaccine development has been initiated between the two partners. ICMR-NIV will provide continuous support to BBIL for vaccine development. ICMR and BBIL will seek fast-track approvals to expedite vaccine development, subsequent animal studies, and clinical evaluation of the candidate vaccine,” read the statement.
“Cases in India”
As of Sunday morning, there were 62,939 positive coronavirus cases in India while the death toll reached 2,109. The doubling rate, however, that stood at 3.4 in the last week of March has significantly improved to 10.77 by April-end. Currently, no specific treatment or vaccine against the coronavirus is available across the world. More than a hundred vaccines are under development, while only 10 have reached the final stages of the trial.
