Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has partnered with Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) to develop a fully indigenous vaccine for COVID-19.
The vaccine will be developed using the virus strain isolated at the ICMR’s National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.
The strain has been successfully transferred from NIV to BBIL, it added. “Work on vaccine development has been initiated between the two partners. The 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,” the health research body said in the statement.
Earlier, Bharat Biotech said it would lead a project to develop human monoclonal antibodies as therapy for Covid-19 infections. The project is sanctioned by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under its flagship programme, New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative.
This project brings together National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune; Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, and Gurgaon-based PredOmix Technologies in a collaborative mode for a public health emergency.
The ICMR is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research and is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world. ICMR’s research agenda align with the National health priorities. These efforts are undertaken with a view to reduce the total burden of disease and to promote the health and well-being of the population.