Indian multinational biotechnology company Bharat Biotech’s intranasal Covid vaccine gets the approval of Drugs Controller General of India. The biotechnology company received approval for primary immunization against the disease for those over 18 years of age. The announcement was made by India’s Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya. Hailing the move, Dr Mandaviya called it, ‘Big Boost to India’s Fight Against COVID-19’.
Big Boost to India's Fight Against COVID-19!
Bharat Biotech's ChAd36-SARS-CoV-S COVID-19 (Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vectored) recombinant nasal vaccine approved by @CDSCO_INDIA_INF for primary immunization against COVID-19 in 18+ age group for restricted use in emergency situation.
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) September 6, 2022
India’s Health Minister lauds the initiative
The vaccine dedicated to Covid-19 is unique as it is a first initiative of this kind. The minister further added, “This step will further strengthen our collective fight against the pandemic. India has harnessed its science, R&D, and human resources in the fight against COVID-19 under PM @NarendraModi Ji’s leadership. With the science-driven approach & Sabka Prayas, we will defeat COVID-19.”
This step will further strengthen our collective fight against the pandemic.
India has harnessed its science, R&D, and human resources in the fight against COVID-19 under PM @NarendraModi Ji's leadership.
With the science-driven approach & Sabka Prayas, we will defeat COVID-19.
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) September 6, 2022
“Intranasal COVID vaccine (BBV154), has got approval under Restricted Use in Emergency Situation for ages 18 and above,” Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL), a global pioneer in vaccine discovery and developer of vaccines for infectious illnesses, stated in a statement.
The vaccine, ChAd36-SARS-CoV-S COVID-19 (Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vectored) is a recombinant nasal vaccine. iNCOVACC is useful at a temperature of 2-8°C for storage and distribution purpose. In a statement, Bharat Biotech said that it has completed implementation of large manufacturing capabilities at various sites across India including Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana with operations in other areas as well.
This vaccine has been designed specifically to facilitate intranasal administration via nasal drops. The nasal delivery technique was created and developed with low- and medium-income nations in mind.
Dr. Krishna Ella, chairman and managing director, Bharat Biotech dubbed the nasal vaccine as the ‘global game changer’. Showing the company’s conviction for developing technologies he said, “Despite the lack of demand for COVID-19 vaccines, we continued product development in intra-nasal vaccines to ensure that we are well prepared with platform technologies for future infectious diseases.‘’
The intranasal vaccine is a heterologous booster dose. The Hyderabad-based firm completed clinical trials of the nasal vaccine with about 4,000 volunteers and there is no side effect or adverse reaction reported so far, company sources had said.
