Delhi: Two Indian pharmaceutical companies are testing the Coronavirus vaccine on humans at different locations in the country and the good news is being awaited soon.
Terming India as pharmacy of the world, on the fast-track mode to develop a Covid-19 vaccine, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director-General Dr. Balaram Bhargava told a press conference here on Tuesday that two Indian pharmaceutical companies Zydus Cadila and Bharat Biotech International Ltd were testing a Corona vaccine at different places in groups of 1,000 people each.
These companies had already conducted studies on the lethality and other side effects of the vaccine on mice and other organisms and submitted its findings to the Drug Controller General’s Office of India (DGCI).
Both indigenous candidate vaccines have undergone successful toxicity studies in rats, mice and rabbits. The data was submitted to DCGI following which both got clearance to start early phase human trials early this month.
He said after getting the approval, these companies have begun human trials of the Corona vaccine. Work is also going on in this direction at the National Institute of Virus, Pune and scientists are working tirelessly day and night. India is perceived as an important player in vaccines for supply for the world, Dr Bhargava said, adding that India contributes 60 per cent of the medicines supplied in the world and 60 per cent of the vaccine used against other diseases are Indian generics.
Any vaccine no matter where it is developed in the world, ultimately will have to be scaled up in India, he added.
