In India, about 30 vaccines are in different stages of development and two of them are in the most advanced stage of development - COVAXIN developed through ICMR-Bharat Biotech and COVISHIELD from the Serum Institute of India said Dr. Harsh Vardhan.  

 

Both are in the Phase-III clinical trial stage and the Indian Council of Medical Research is involved in their trial executions, commented Union Minister of Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan at DST-CII India Portugal Technology Summit 2020.  

 

Speaking at the India-Portugal Technology Summit 2020, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “The next iteration of this collaboration will be to encourage new solutions based on cutting edge technologies such as Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)."

 

"India is also hosting clinical trials for all the major vaccine contenders. Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, is conducting trials for the vaccine developed by Oxford University. ZydusCadila is also conducting a Phase trial of an indigenous DNA Vaccine. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, will distribute the Russian vaccine in India after conducting final-stage human trials and receiving regulatory approval," said Dr. Harsh Vardhan. 

 

Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “The Summit is a reflection of the effective partnership between the government and industry for developing a robust technology ecosystem for the country."

 

Prof. Manuel Heitor, Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Government of Portugal said, “These are times of solidarity and our ties with India are strong. We need to rely on knowledge to be out of this crisis together." 

 

Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India said that the S&T ecosystem has blossomed in India by the gradually increasing focus of its policy regime, an impetus that has been ably supported by the years of economic reforms and landmark initiatives.