Telangana to become first state to finish human clinical trials of Covid-19 vaccine

Hyderabad: Telangana will become the first Indian State to successfully complete the human clinical trials of 'BBV152 COVID Vaccine', the first developed Covid-19 vaccine by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharath Biotech International Limited (BBIL).

Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) has been chosen as a human clinical trial site for the prominent Covid-19 vaccine. Apart from NIMS, the ICMR also has chosen 12 other health care institutions in the country for the human clinical trials of the vaccine.

The Director-General (DG) of ICMR, Dr Balram Bhargava has written a letter to Dr K Manohar, Director at NIMS advising the speeding of all approvals related to the initiation of the clinical trials on patients. He has also mentioned a deadline to finish the enrolment of the approvals to participate in the clinical trials. He said that the enrolments should be finished by July 7.

"You have been chosen as a clinical trial site of the BBV152 COVID Vaccine. In view of the public health emergency due to Covid-19 pandemic and urgency to launch the vaccine, you are strictly advised to fast track all approvals related to the initiation of the clinical trials and ensure subject enrolment is initiated no later than July 7," Dr Balram Bhargava written in his letter.

The ICMR DG stressed the need for clinical trial sites to accelerate the clinical trials due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic situation. He added, "Non-compliance will be viewed very seriously. You are advised to treat this project on the highest priority and meet the given timelines without any lapse."

Last year, ICMR had chosen NIMS to set-up its National Centre for Product Development, which is a first of its kind in South India. The National Centre for Produce Development will be one among five other related centres that are being planned to programme in Mumbai, Chandigarh, Lucknow and Hyderabad.