India approves second Vaccine Trial

The Drug Controller General of India approved to begin vaccine trial of Zydus Cadila. The firm is to conduct the vaccine trials in two phases. This is the second vaccine trial approved by India after Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN.

Highlights

The DCGI approved the vaccine trials after the animal trials of the vaccine was satisfactory. The animals such as rabbits, mice, guinea pigs and rats successfully developed antibodies against the virus.

It is to be noted that the COVID-19 vaccine, COVAXIN received its approval recently. It was developed by the Bharat Biotech International Limited along with ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and National Institute of virology. COVAXIN was developed from SARS-COV-2 virus strain that was isolated at NIV.

COVID-19 vaccines

A Global race is underway to develop COVID-19 vaccines. According to WHO, there are more than 100 COVID-19 vaccine trials that are being conducted.

There are 4 COVID-19 trials being done in US, 6 in China, 3 in Australia, one in UK and so on.

International Organizations

The World Health Organization and other multinational institutions like that of the World Bank are involved in funding COVID-19 vaccine development programmes. CEPI and GAVI are also working widely to develop the vaccine

CEPI is Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations that was founded by India, Norway, Gates Foundation, World Economic Forum.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2020