Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

India to conduct 'late-stage' clinical trials for intranasal Covid-19 vaccine

INDIA's health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has said that Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech are expected to pursue late stage clinical trials of intranasal Covid-19 vaccines in the coming months once they receive regulatory approval.

He added the late stage trial generally involves thousands of participants, sometimes 30,000 to 40,000.


While Serum Institute was manufacturing an intranasal vaccine candidate, Bharat Biotech entered in an agreement with Washington University School of Medicine to conduct trials to produce and market an intranasal vaccine.

"While there are three vaccine candidates against Covid-19 being tested on humans in India, there is no intranasal vaccine candidate under trial currently. Serum Institute has begun manufacturing Codagenix CDX 005, which is an intranasal live attenuated vaccine candidate for Sars-Cov-2," the minister said.

"Pre-clinical animal studies have already been completed and Codagenix expects to initiate a phase 1 clinical first in humans trial in the UK by the end of 2020. Further, Serum India plans to undertake clinical developments of this vaccine candidate in India.”

The phase 1 trials for Bharat Biotech vaccine will take place in the US in St Louis University’s vaccine and treatment evaluation unit. Upon getting regulatory approval, the company will pursue further stages of clinical trials in India.

Of the vaccines currently in Phase 3 trials, all are administered by injection, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Recently, India's Dr Reddy's Laboratories and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) have received renewed approval to conduct late-stage clinical trials in India of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine.

India’s tally of coronavirus infections stood at 7.55 million on Monday(19), having risen by 55,722 cases in the last 24 hours, health ministry said.

However, India recorded its lowest death toll in nearly four months on Monday with 579 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, taking total fatalities to 114,610.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said it will revisit its protocol for Covid-19 treatment after the WHO found some of the commonly used drugs, including remdesivir, had little or no impact on a patient's chances of surviving, media reports said.

Meanwhile, Cadila Healthcare’s phase 1 clinical trial had included subjects between 18-55 years, and for phase 2, it was extended to 12 years and above. Serum Institute is conducting phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials of their vaccine in subjects 18 years and above, till the age of 99 years.

More For You

Sukhvinder Kaur: Finding light in the tunnel of loneliness

Sukhvinder Kaur: Finding light in the tunnel of loneliness

LONELINESS can affect people of all ages and backgrounds in different ways. Sukhvinder Kaur was deeply impacted by social isolation after her marriage broke down, leaving her alone with two young children.

Despite a happy upbringing, a supportive family, and a strong community network, she began experiencing uncomfortable thoughts that didn’t resonate with her, leading to increased isolation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ayurveda: The ancient science of balance and well-being

Ayurveda was given to mankind at the time of satyug, when the diseases though existed had not yet manifested in the physical world.

iStock

Ayurveda: The ancient science of balance and well-being

Ashwini Gurujii

Ayurveda finds it origin in one of the four Vedas, the Atharvaveda. Brahma ji propounded the science of Ayurveda and passed it on to Daksh Prajapati, who gave it to Ashwini Kumars, the physicians of devas, and they gave it to Indra.

Ayurveda was given to mankind at the time of satyug, when the diseases though existed had not yet manifested in the physical world. The level of existence was so pure and selfless that diseases were unable to manifest then. The rishis of satyug realized that in the times to come, the thoughts of people are going to become so polluted that diseases will find the required environment to manifest and then the need of Ayurveda would arise, so Rishi Bharadwaj went up to Indra Dev and asked for this divine science.

Keep ReadingShow less
Why helping ageing parents is precious

As our parents age, we embrace new roles in their lives with compassion and care.

Why helping ageing parents is precious

AS OUR parents’ health begins to deteriorate, one of the hardest things in life is watching them age. Some can no longer walk for more than 10 minutes, and their memory isn’t what it used to be. There are also hidden complications associated with ageing.

I grew up in a working-class family. My dad was named Simba when he lived back in Zanzibar, Africa. He swam in the open ocean and ran for miles. The joinery skills he learned from his father have been passed down to my brother and me. My mum worked long hours sewing and in factories to provide for us, ensuring we had everything we needed. She also taught me never to rely on anyone for anything, which has shaped me into the strong, independent woman I am today.

Keep ReadingShow less
Spring-clock-change-iStock

Circadian rhythms regulate physiological processes in living organisms, including plants, animals, and even bacteria. (Photo: iStock)

How the spring clock change impacts sleep and health

EVERY YEAR, about a quarter of the world's population adjusts their clocks for daylight saving time (DST).

While it may seem like a small change, some experience fatigue, irritability, and brain fog in the days that follow. For night owls, the adjustment can take weeks.

Keep ReadingShow less
Reconnecting with lost Eid traditions

Bring the past into the present for a richer celebration

Reconnecting with lost Eid traditions

EID is a joyous time filled with unity, reflection, and celebration.

While the essence of the celebration has remained unchanged across centuries, the way this special day is celebrated has evolved, with many older traditions being replaced by modern practices and technological advancements.

Keep ReadingShow less