THD NewsDesk, Pune: The Novavax Inc, on the 4th of August, released a statement reporting that their COVID-19 vaccine candidate responded adequately to the novel coronavirus by producing optimum levels of antibodies in the early stage of human immunization clinical trial. It added that a Phase III trial on a crucial and large scale could start as soon as September ends.
On the 5th of August 2020, Novavax Inc also said that an accord has been signed with the Serum Institute of India to address the exclusive rights extended for the manufactures, supply, and license of their vaccine candidate. The treaty has been signed for the development and commercialization of this COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
The exclusive validity for the development and commercialization of the vaccine candidate in India is limited for the period of the deal. Further, non-exclusive rights have been issued in all the nations other than the high-income or well-to-do countries as designated by the World Bank during the “Pandemic Period.”
According to a Security and Exchange Commission filing, the pact was finally endorsed and signed on the 30th of July 2020.
The eagerly awaited vaccine has got the healthcare, biotech, and pharmaceutical groups of the world working together to put a stiff battle against the novel coronavirus disease.
In the backdrop of Covid cases up surging with every passing minute, WHO has asserted that a total of 86 teams are currently engaged in manufacturing the vaccine for COVID-19, including the ones conducting human immunization trials. Further, the WHO reported that 13 vaccine candidates are under the trial phase, while 129 lie in the pre-trial monitoring and evaluation phase.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as on 30th June 2020 reported that the total COVID infections in India have surged to a worrisome number of 5,48,318.
Apart from this, names like Bharat Biotech and various other assorted groups and individuals have enrolled their COVID-19 vaccine contenders and are currently conducting trials. Bharat Biotech International Limited and Zydus Cadila pharmaceutical company have also progressed to conduct their second phase of trials for their respective COVID-19 vaccine candidates named, “Covaxin” and “ZyCoV-D.”
Bharat Biotech has hit the headlines of the news earlier by producing the rotavirus vaccine named, “Rotavac” costing $1 each.
“Our ongoing research and expertise in forecasting epidemics have enabled us to successfully manufacture a vaccine for the H1N1 pandemic. Continuing our focus on creating the only BSL-3 containment facilities for manufacturing and testing in India, Bharat Biotech is committed to advancing vaccine development as a matter of national importance to demonstrate India’s strength in handling the future pandemics, said Krishna Ella, the Chairman and MD of the Bharat Biotech earlier.
The Pune based Serum Institute of India, in an accord with Novavax Inc, has entered the race to produce the vaccine. With the constant efforts of our healthcare providers, we might have the COVID-19 vaccine soon enough.
