'Over 100 experts from friendly nations trained for clinical trials of Indian COVID-19 vaccine'
New Delhi, Dec 16: Over 100 experts from friendly neighbouring nations have so far been trained to strengthen capacities in their countries for facilitating phase-3 clinical trials of Indian COVID-19 vaccine, a senior official of the department of biotechnology said on Wednesday.
Addressing a webinar organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Alka Sharma, an adviser with the Department of Biotechnology, said the partnership for advancing clinical trials (PACT) initiative is being carried out in association with the external affairs ministry.
"...The PACT is under the initiative of Department of Biotechnology and Ministry of External Affairs to strengthen capacities for facilitating phase-3 clinical trials of Indian COVID vaccine in friendly neighbouring countries," she said.
Under this initiative, so far two training modules have been successfully completed.
"More than 100 participants from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Sri Lanka took part in this training programme," she said.
The plan is to have the next round of training programme with more number of participants, she added.
She said currently 30 groups are actively involved in development of the coronavirus vaccine.
Six vaccines are in various stages of clinical trials, of which four are being indigenously developed she said.
Sharma said the clinical trails by Bharat Biotech are in phase-3, while the one which is being developed by Zydus Cadila is in phase-2 clinical trial.
Vaccine candidate of Biological E is in it phase-1 clinical trials while Gennova biopharmaceuticals is in the process of getting approvals at various levels.
Serum Institute of India (SII) is also conducting phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine.
Similarly, Dr Reddy's Laboratories is conducting phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for Russian vaccine Sputnik V, she said.
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Two die after two-wheeler gets sandwiched between two buses in Kerala
Kochi (PTI): Two men died on Friday when the two-wheeler they were travelling on got sandwiched between two Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses near Palarivattom here, police said.
The incident occurred around 6.15 am, police said.
The two-wheeler was behind a KSRTC bus when the other bus came from behind and slammed into the motorcycle and the bus in front of it, police said.
Both men died on the spot, police said, adding the driver of the bus which came from behind was taken into custody.
Some passengers in the KSRTC bus which came from behind suffered minor injuries, police said.
"Inquest proceedings are on. Further details about the victims will be available only after that," it said.
