PM Narendra Modi took a detailed review of the current status of India’s efforts in vaccine
development, drug discovery, diagnosis and testing. Indian vaccine companies
are well known for their quality, manufacturing capacity and global presence.
Today in addition, they have come across as innovators in early stage vaccine
development research. Similarly, Indian academia and start-ups have also
pioneered in this area. Over 30 Indian vaccines are in different stages of corona
vaccine development, with a few going on to the trial stages.
Similarly, in drug development three approaches are being taken. First, the
repurposing of existing drugs. At least four drugs are undergoing synthesis and
examination in this category. Secondly, the development of new candidate
drugs and molecules are being driven by linking high performance
computational approached with laboratory verification. Thirdly, plant extracts
and products are being examined for general anti-viral properties.
In diagnosis and testing, several academic research institutions and start-ups
have developed new tests, both for the RT-PCR approach and for the antibody
detection. In addition, by linking laboratories all over the country, capacity for
both these kinds of tests have been enormously scaled up. The problem of
importing reagents for testing has been addressed by consortia of Indian startups
and industry, meeting current requirements. The current thrust also holds
promise for the development of a robust long-term industry in this area The review by the PM took note of the extraordinary coming together of
academia, industry and government, combined with speedy but efficient
regulatory process. The PM desired that such coordination and speed should be
embedded into a standard operating procedure. He emphasized that what is
possible in a crisis should be a part of our routine way of scientific functioning.
Appreciating the scientific coming together of computer science, chemistry and
biotechnology in drug discovery, the PM suggested that a hackathon be held on
this subject, linking computer science to synthesis and testing in the laboratory.
The successful candidates from the hackathon could be taken up by the startups
for further development and scaling up.
The PM added that the innovative and original manner in which Indian scientists,
from basic to applied sciences, have come together with industry is heartening.
This kind of pride, originality and sense of purpose should dominate our
approach going ahead. It is only then that we can be amongst the best in the
world and not followers, in science.
PM Chairs A Meeting Of The Task Force On Corona Vaccine Development And Drug Discovery
