Over 100 experts from friendly nations trained for clinical trials of Indian COVID-19 vaccine: Official

Over 100 experts from friendly neighbouring nations have so far been trained to strengn capacities in ir countries for facilitating phase-3 clinical trials of Indian COVID-19 vaccine, a senior official of department of biotechlogy said on Wednesday.

Addressing a webinar organised by Confederation of Indian Industry, Alka Sharma, an adviser with Department of Biotechlogy, said partnership for advancing clinical trials (PACT) initiative is being carried out in association with external affairs ministry.

"... PACT is under initiative of Department of Biotechlogy and Ministry of External Affairs to strengn capacities for facilitating phase-3 clinical trials of Indian COVID vaccine in friendly neighbouring countries," she said.

Under this initiative, so far two training modules have been successfully completed.

"More than 100 participants from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Sri Lanka took part in this training programme," she said.

plan is to have next round of training programme with more number of participants, she added.

She said currently 30 groups are actively involved in development of coronavirus vaccine.

Six vaccines are in various sts of clinical trials, of which four are being indigeusly developed she said.

Sharma said clinical trails by Bharat Biotech are in phase-3, while one which is being developed by Zydus Cadila is in phase-2 clinical trial.

Vaccine candidate of Biological E is in it phase-1 clinical trials while Genva biopharmaceuticals is in process of getting approvals at various levels.

Serum Institute of India (SII) is also conducting phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine.  Similarly, Dr Reddy's Laboratories is conducting phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for Russian vaccine Sputnik V, she said. PTI PR RHL