Hyderabad: Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) signed an MoA with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to develop India’s first codon de-optimised live attenuated Zika vaccine. Currently, no vaccine exists to prevent the Zika virus, which poses a major public health concern.
IIL, in partnership with Griffith University, Australia, has successfully completed pre-clinical evaluations of the vaccine and has received regulatory approval to move forward with clinical trials. ICMR will fund the Phase I clinical trials, which will be conducted at its sites across India.
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. It can be transmitted to the foetus during pregnancy, through sexual contact, blood transfusion and organ transplantation and can cause serious birth defects.
Dr K. Anand Kumar, managing director of IIL, expressed excitement over the collaboration, emphasising the importance of affordable vaccines to combat emerging diseases. Dr Rajiv Bahl, DG-ICMR, highlighted the significance of conducting Phase I trials in India, contributing to the country’s self-reliance in healthcare innovation.
