DGCI grants clearance for clinical trials for another COVID-19 vaccine candidate from India

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) this week has granted clearance for clinical trials for one more candidate vaccine from India. Genoa company, with the help of Government of India's research agency Department of Biotechnology, has developed a vaccine, said Dr Vinod Paul, member of Niti Aayog.

Paul further added that the technology used in this is the same as Pfizer vaccine. Unlike Pfizer vaccine or some others, this vaccine if it comes into existence it will be maintainable at normal cold chain conditions, in a normal fridge, he added.

On Saturday Paul said that India's drug regulator will grant emergency use licences to coronavirus vaccine candidates under review, after analysing all aspects of safety and efficacy. Pfizer, Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech have applied for market authorisation for their vaccines.

“We have three applications today for the emergency use authorisation on sound principles. We have Pfizer, we have Bharat Biotech and we have Serum and they have not only met the deadline, they have overtaken the deadline," Paul said.

Unlike Pfizer vaccine or some others, this vaccine - if it comes into existence - will be maintainable at normal cold chain conditions, in a normal fridge: Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog#COVID19

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2020