Amid concerns over the indigenous coronavirus vaccine developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, the company’s management has said that they have done 18 clinical trials globally over time and it is one of the safest vaccine makers.

Amid concerns over the indigenous coronavirus vaccine developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, the company’s management has said that they have done 18 clinical trials globally over time and it is one of the safest vaccine makers. Dr Krishna Ella, the founder and chairman of Bharat Biotech, has hailed the decision of DCGI to approve Covaxin for emergency restricted use and termed it as a giant leap for innovation and novel product development in India. “It is a proud moment for the nation and a great milestone in India’s scientific capability, a kickstart to the innovation the ecosystem in India,” said Dr Krishna Ella. Elaborating on COVAXIN and Bharat Biotech’s journey, Dr Ella said, “We have done more than 18 clinical trials globally. We are the largest company in the developing world with the highest number of clinical trials.” On the question of safety of COVAXIN, Dr Krishna Ella said, “We took vero cell culture at coronavirus vaccine platform. All our vaccines which we are producing are at the same platform. It is the safest and easiest platform and safety can be proven very easily.” He explained that Bharat Biotech is the “only one with BSL 1 production facility, a facility the US has only started building now in Kansas”.

‘COVAXIN SAFEST IN WORLD’

Dr Ella has assured that COVAXIN is the safest vaccine in the world. “We have five publications in the past 6 months. China has not done any efficacy trials, Russia also has not done any efficacy trials. We are doing efficacy trials on 26,000 people in the third phase,” said Dr Ella of Bharat Biotech.

Bharat Biotech apart from COVAXIN, is also working on two other vaccines against Covid-19. It has collaborated with two different US universities to develop the vaccine which are under trial. “Just imagine 1.3 billion people, 2 dose vaccines, 2.6 billion syringes and needles, the amount of pollution we will create. It will be phenomenal. So, we are working on a nasal vaccine and have partnered with Washington University. We working on a single dose vaccine compared to a two-dose inactivated vaccine. Research has proven that nasal vaccine is the best choice. COVID also goes through nose,” he said. “This vaccine can be given to two-month-old babies as well and a nasal vaccine can be administered to the entire population except for cancer patients and pregnant women,” said Dr Ella expressing hopes that the nasal vaccine being developed in partnership with the US will soon become a reality. He added, “I feel the nasal vaccine will be the ideal choice it we want to stop the Covid-19 infection and transmission.” Source: India Today