DBT Launched Programme for “Strengthening Clinical Trial Research Capacity in Neighbouring Countries”

On September 22, 2020, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, initiated the first phase of the “Training program to strengthen clinical trial research capacity for neighbouring countries” in partnership with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to support researchers and investigator teams for enhancing and strengthening their clinical trial capabilities in compliance with ICH-GCP (International Conference on Harmonisation – Good clinical practice). 

• The orientation to this training program was addressed by Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT and Chairperson, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). This was also attended by Senior representatives from the Ministry of External affairs (MEA), DBT, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and Clinical Development Services Agency (CDSA).

Key Points:

-This initiation is on the lines of Ind-CEPI mission (India Centric Epidemic Preparedness) for Rapid Vaccine Development and Supporting Indian Vaccine Development which is aligned with the Global Initiative of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

– One of the key focus areas of the mission is to support capacity building and regional networking with LMICs( Low and Middle Income Countries). This will help our participating countries to build capacities for vaccine trials and for conducting Phase III trials for COVID 19 vaccines.

-The training program which will extend for about 6-8 weeks will see participation of investigators, epidemiologists, clinicians and representatives from different departments fromNepal, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Srilanka, Bhutan and Afghanistan. 

Recent Related News:

• In order to provide rapid, fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has invited countries to join its Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) facility by August 31, 2020. This facility is led by the WHO, along with the GAVI vaccine alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation), and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
• Serum Institute of India(SII) Private Limited has entered into a new partnership with Gavi, the International Vaccine Alliance and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to accelerate the process of manufacture and delivery of up to 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for India and other low and middle income countries(LMICs) by 2021 as part of the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC), a mechanism within the COVAX Facility.

About Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC): 

It is a not-for-profit Section 8, Schedule B, Public Sector Enterprise, set up by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India as an Interface Agency to strengthen and empower the emerging Biotech enterprise.