The Indian government has already started with the dry run for coronavirus vaccine drive at number of states. In coming months, many will receive their first vaccine shot. Preparation for administering doses at vaccine centres, logistics and other arrangements are at full swing. DCGI, India’s drug regulator recently approved Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for restricted emergency use.
But do you know which are the other vaccine candidates which are in the line to battle against the novel coronavirus? Check the list below
ZyCoV-D: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Sunday gave nod for phase III clinical trials of Cadila Healthcare’s ZyCov-D based in Ahmedabad. The firm, also known as Zydus Cadila, will recruit phase III clinical trials on around 30,000 volunteers. Depending on the development of researches, the company is hoping to launch the vaccine in the first quarter of the next financial year. The vaccine is being developed on the DNA platform and is named ZyCoV-D.
Aurobindo Pharma vaccine: Aurobindo Pharma Ltd has declared its own COVID-19 vaccine development programme via its US subsidiary Auro Vaccines. The companies are collaborating on clinical development, manufacturing of the vaccine. The vaccine is currently in the pre-clinical phase. The company is sure that they will sell US-based COVAXX’s Covid-19 vaccine candidate for supply in India. It would also sell it to UNICEF, under a licensing deal.
Biological E Limited vaccine: In December, Hyderabad-based vaccine company, Biological E Limited (BE) and the Ohio State Innovation Foundation (OSIF) in USA have announced a license agreement for a coronavirus vaccine technology. The company plans to begin large late-stage trials of its potential vaccine candidate in April this year. The company expects to enrol 20,000 to 25,000 subjects in 30 to 35 sites around India for the late-stage trials, Narender Dev Mantena, was quoted as saying by Reuters.
HGCO19: India’s first indigenous mRNA vaccine candidate HGCO 19 in December got nod from the drug regulators to begin Phase I/II human clinical trial. The mRNA candidate, has been developed by Gennova, Pune and braced with grant under the Ind-CEPI mission of Department of Biotechnology of M/o Science & Technology, an official statement read. According to report in Mint, Gennova will begin the phase 1 clinical trial of its vaccine candidate with the enrolment of 120 participants starting from early January.
Sputnik V: Russia’s Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, recently stated that over eight lakh people in Russia have been vaccinated against the COVID-19, reported Turkish News Agency Anadolu Agency. Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier said that Sputnik V vaccine has at least 95 percent efficacy,
In India, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories is conducting phases 2 and 3 clinical trials of Sputnik V.Russia began vaccination drive in August. India plans to develop 300 million doses of Sputnik V this year.
