ICMR partners with BBIL for developing indigenous COVID-19 vaccine

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Saturday announced that it has partnered with the Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) to develop a fully indigenous vaccine for COVID-19 using the virus strain isolated at the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.

"The ICMR and BBIL have partnered to develop a fully indigenous vaccine for COVID-19 using the virus strain isolated at the ICMR's NIV, Pune," a ICMR statement said.

The strain has been successfully transferred from NIV to BBIL and work on vaccine development has been initiated between the two partners.

While the ICMR-NIV will provide continuous support to BBIL for vaccine development, the ICMR and BBIL will seek fast-track approvals to expedite vaccine development, subsequent mal studies and clinical evaluation of the candidate vaccine.

( With inputs from ANI )