Will DGCI give nod for trial nasal Covid-19 vaccine in India?

Bharat Biotech has approached apex body Drug Controller General India’s (DCGI) to give nod for nasal Covid-19 vaccine trials in India.

After giving approval to two indigenous corona vaccines for emergency use in India, developed by pharma major Bharat Biotech and Serum Institutes, Bharat Biotech has come up with new form of vaccines and has sought approval from DGCI. Bharat Biotech has approached apex body Drug Controller General India’s (DCGI) to give nod for nasal Covid-19 vaccine trials in India.

Bharat Biotech has already got approval for Covaxin for emergency use against COVID19. Important is that it is still conducting phase-3 trials in India.

Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, says that this nasal vaccine has potential to revolutionise Indian vaccine making capabilities and help the country leapfrog along with Europe, the US and China.

A study published in scientific journal Cell points out that animal studies on nasal vaccine – single dose intra-nasal ChAd vaccine – protects upper and lower respiratory tracts against SARS-CoV-2. Along with, this vaccine has shown 100 per cent sterilising ability in monkeys.