Bharat Biotech India Ltd (BBIL) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – National Institute of Virology (NIV) developed India’s first COVID-19 vaccine – Covaxin (BBV152 COVID vaccine). The vaccine is developed and manufactured by the BSL-3(Bio Safety Level- 3) high containment facility of BBIL.
Covaxin:
i.The inactivated vaccine (vaccine developed using particles of killed virus) was developed using the strains of SARS-CoV-2 which was isolated by ICMR-NIC.
ii.The vaccine was approved by the Drug Controller General of India(DCGI) for Phase 1 and Phase 2 trial on 29th June 2020
iii.The vaccine is set to be launched for public use on 15th August 2020, Independence day.
Clinical Trial:
i.Around 12 hospitals across the country are working on the testing process of the vaccine.
ii.The trials are conducted on a set of people and the vaccine will be tested for safety in humans and produce protective antibodies.
iii.The trail is aimed to test if the weakened virus can stimulate the immunity of the people who are not affected by the virus against the infection.
iv.The application of BBIL to Clinical Trial Registry of India(CTRI) shows the plan to complete the trial enrollment by 13th July and Dr. Balram Bhargava, The Director General of ICMR, directed the trial sites to complete the enrolment by 7th July 2020.
v.To launch the vaccine by August 15, the trials are fast tracked and it is highlighted that the vaccine can obtain emergency approval, provided with the data from the first two trial phases with additional data and event reports.
About BBIL:
Chairman & Managing Director- Krishna M.Ella
Executive Director– Dr. V Krishna Mohan
Head Office– Hyderabad, Telangana
About ICMR:
ICMR is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world.
Director General– Balram Bhargava
Headquarters– New Delhi
