ICMR fast-tracks Bharat Biotech's 'Covaxin' Covid vaccine; envisages launch by August 15

 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Thursday said that it has partnered with Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) to fast-track clinical trials of indigeus COVID-19 vaccine (BBV152 COVID Vaccine). In an official statement, ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava stated that ICMR aims to launch indigeus COVID-19 vaccine by August 15. Bharat Biotech recently got a d for clinical trial of its vaccine - Covaxin.

'One of top priority projects'

"This is first indigeus vaccine being developed by India and is one of top priority projects which is being monitored at topmost level of Government. vaccine is derived from a strain of SARS-CoV-2 isolated by ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune. ICMR and BBIL are jointly working for preclinical as well as clinical development of this vaccine," statement said. 

"It is envisd to launch vaccine for public health use latest by 15th August 2020 after completion of all 1st clinical trials. BBIL is working expeditiously to meet target, however, final outcome will depend on cooperation of all clinical trial sites involved in this project," statement ded.

country's apex medical body has selected 12 institutes, including one from Odisha, for clinical trial of country's first indigeus COVID-19 vaccine, an official said on Thursday. In view of public health emergency due to COVID-19 pandemic and urgency to launch vaccine, selected institutes are strictly vised to fast track all approvals related to initiation of clinical trial and ensure that subject enrolment is initiated during first week of July.

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India recorded 19,148 new COVID-19 cases in last 24 hours. According to latest figures shared by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,  death toll rose by 434. With this, Coronavirus positive cases in India stand at 6,04,641 including  2,26,947 active cases, 3,59,860 cured/ discharged/ migrated. total number of deaths recorded so far stands at 17,834.

According to Health Ministry numbers, Maharashtra continues to le tally with 1,80,298 cases. while 79,091 of se are active cases, 93,154 people have been discharged/ cured so far. death count in state stands at    8,053. 

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(With ncy inputs)