India will have world's first DNA vaccine Zykov-D, third phase trial continues

New Delhi. India is soon going to get another vaccine as a weapon in the war against Corona virus. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that the Phase III clinical trial of Zydus Cadila Company's Kovid-19 vaccine Zycov-D is underway. It is a plasmid DNA vaccine against corona virus. Mandaviya told the House that if the vaccine passes all tests and is approved for use in the country, it will be the world's first DNA-based vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus and the fourth available in the country

Mandaviya said that Indian companies are increasing the production of the vaccine to further accelerate the pace of vaccination in the country. During a short-lived discussion in Rajya Sabha on 'Management of Corona Epidemic in the Country, Implementation of Immunization and Policy and Challenges in view of a possible third wave', he informed that the Phase III clinical trial of DNA-based Vaccine of Cadila Healthcare Limited is going on. .

The DNA-plasmid based 'Xycov-D' vaccine will have three doses. It can be stored at a temperature of two to four degrees Celsius and will not require a cold chain. With this, its consignment can be easily transported to any part of the country. The vaccine is supported by the National Biopharma Mission (NBM) under the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), an undertaking under the Department of Biotechnology.

The analysis of data from Phase III trials is almost ready and the company has informed the government that it may apply to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for an emergency use license for its anti-Covid vaccine next week. The vaccine has been tested on adults as well as adolescents in the age group of 12 to 18 years

Zydus Cadila said on July 1 that it has sought approval from the central drug regulator for emergency use of its Kovid-19 vaccine, Zycov-D. The company had said that it has conducted clinical trials for its Kovid-19 vaccine in more than 50 centers in India so far.