BS RAWAT

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) have come together for clinical trials of indigenous vaccine for the coronavirus disease.

The ICMR said that it is envisaged to launch the indigenous vaccine Covaxin for public health use latest by August 15, after completion of all clinical trials.

The clinical trials will be held in 12 institutes across the country including at Visakhapatnam, Rohtak, New Delhi, Patna, Belgaum (Karnataka), Nagpur, Gorakhpur, Kattankulathur (Tamil Nadu), Hyderabad, Arya Nagar, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) and Goa.

The ICMR has asked these institutes to fast-track clinical trials of the vaccine as it is being considered as one of the “top priority projects” which are being “monitored at the topmost level of the government”.

“Bharat Biotech is working expeditiously to meet the target, however, the final outcome will depend on the cooperation of all clinical trial sites involved in this project,” Dr Balram Bhargava, DG ICMR, said in a letter to all 12 institutions.

The letter has also asked the institutes to ensure that the subject enrolment is initiated during the first week of July.