Pune: Phase 2 human trial of Oxford vaccine may start tomorrow

Doses of potential coronavirus vaccine developed by researchers at Oxford University arrived at Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College here for phase-2 clinical human trials on Tuesday, an official said.

trial may begin from Wednesday, said a top official of institute, one of 17 sites selected for phase 2 human trials in country by Serum Institute of India (SII).

"To start with we have identified five volunteers who will undergo COVID-19 and antibodies test. Those whose reports are negative will be shortlisted for vaccination on Wednesday," said Dr Sanjay Lalwani, Medical Director, Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College and Hospital and Research Centre.

He said hospital has been given a target of enlisting 300 to 350 volunteers. Those chosen for receiving a dose of vaccine will be in group of 18 to 99 years, he told PTI.

Dr Jeetendra Oswal, deputy medical director of hospital, said after y are ministered vaccine, volunteers will be monitored as per standard trial protocol.

or hospitals where trials are to be conducted include B J Medical College Hospital in Pune, AIIMS Delhi, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna, Post Gruate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, Nehru Hospital in Gorakhpur and Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnam.

SII, world's largest vaccine maker, has signed an agreement to manufacture potential vaccine developed by Jenner Institute of Oxford University in collaboration with British-Swedish pharma company AstraZeneca.

or site of phase 2 trial in city, B J Medical College (to which Sassoon General Hospital is attached), is rey and waiting for vaccine candidate to arrive, a top official said.

"We have completed all ministrative procedures required to conduct human trials of vaccine. We are w waiting for doses," said college Dean Dr Murlidhar Tambe.

"Ideally, trials should start next week," he ded.