ZyCoV-D: India’s first indigenously developed DNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Health & GS-III – Sci & Tech
In news
India’s first indigenously developed DNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19, ZyCoV-D has been approved by Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), for conduct of the Phase III clinical trials.
Key takeaways
The candidate has been supported by the National Biopharma Mission (NBM) under the aegis of BIRAC and the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
Zydus Cadila completed Phase-I/II clinical trials of this DNA Vaccine candidate, in India, in more than 1,000 participants.
Interim data has indicated that the vaccine is safe and immunogenic when three doses were administered intradermally (in the skin).
The DCGI has accorded permission for conducting Phase-III clinical trial in 26,000 Indian participants.
Important value additions
National Biopharma Mission (NBM)
It is an industry-academia collaborative missionfor accelerating biopharmaceutical development in the country.
Launched in: 2017at a total cost of Rs 1500 crore.
It is 50% co-funded by World Bank loan.
Implemented by: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
Under this Mission, the Government has launched Innovate in India (i3) programme to create an enabling ecosystem to promote entrepreneurship and indigenous manufacturing in the biopharma sector.
It has a focus on following four verticals: (1) Development of product leads for Vaccines , Biosimilars and Medical Devices that are relevant to the public health; (2) Upgradation of shared infrastructure facilities; (3) Developing human capital by providing specific training; (4) Developing technology transfer offices to help enhance industry academia inter-linkages.
