Nasal Covid shot cleared for phase 2/3 trials

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 13

The first indigenously developed Covid-19 nasal vaccine on Friday received the drug regulator’s nod for phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, paving the way for early completion of a process that could vastly improve Covid shot delivery in India.

The vaccine, developed by Bharat Biotech and supported by Department of Biotechnology and its PSU, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, can revolutionise Covid vaccine landscape and has been developed under “Mission Covid Suraksha” launched to accelerate Covid-19 vaccine development as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme.

Bharat Biotech’s intranasal vaccine is the first nasal vaccine to receive regulatory approval for phase 2/3 trials and the first of its kind to undergo human clinical trials in India.

Meanwhile, the government today released fresh instalment of the emergency response package to states and UTs disbursing half of the total funding under the plan meant to strengthen paediatric and other health infrastructure in the wake of a possible third wave.