COVID: 'Vaccine will be commercialized only after successful trials,' says Serum Institute

Serum Institute of India which is in race to release a COVID-19 vaccine in country clarified  rumours surrounding ir vaccine 'COVIDSHIELD' revealing that as of w y had only received permission to manufacture vaccine and stockpile it for future use. Refuting all or reports surrounding COVISHIELD's availability in markets, pharma giant specified that vaccine would only be commercialized once trials are proven successful. 

Serum Institute of India's statement on COVIDSHIELD

"Serum Institute of India, would like to clarify that current claims surrounding COVISHIELD's availability are completely false and conjectural. Presently, government has granted us permission to only manufacture vaccine and stockpile it for future use. COVISHIELD will be commercialized once trials are proven successful and all requisite regulatory approvals are in place.  phase-3 trials for Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine are still underway. And only once vaccine is proven immugenic and efficacious, SII will confirm its availability, officially," said Serum Institute of India in its statement.

Read: 'India Likely To Have COVID-19 Vaccine By December', Says Serum Institute's CEO Poonawalla

Read: From Bharat Biotech To Serum Institute, 7 Indian Firms In COVID-19 Vaccine Race

Progress on COVIDSHIELD

pharmacy giant on Wednesday initiated phase 2 and 3 of trials for evaluating response in terms of safety and immunity of vaccine on healthy Indian adults, after receiving approval from Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI).  study, which would be conducted, will consist of 1,600 participants, all eir being more than 18 years of or equal to it.  test would be conducted across 17 locations in nation. 

Serum Institute of India said it would start phase-II trials of COVID-19 vaccine in collaboration with Oxford University. It has also partnered with AstraZeneca, a pharmaceutical major from UK, for mass manufacturing of Oxford developed COVID-19 vaccine to ensure equitable distribution of  AZD1222 vaccine doses to India as well as low-and-middle-income countries.

Read: Serum Institute Of India To Begin Trial On 1600 Volunteers For Potential COVID-19 Vaccine

Read: Serum Institute Identifies 10 Centres To Start Phase 2 Trials Of Oxford's COVID Vaccine