Government picks IIT, Bennett University for Covid fight

New Delhi: In order to urgently develop “safe and effective biomedical solutions” against Covid-19, the department of biotechnology (DBT) under the science ministry has recommended 70 proposals from different institutions, including several IITs, JNU and Bennett University, for funding. These proposals are related to the development of vaccines, devices, diagnostics, therapeutics and other technological interventions.

The shortlisted proposals include 10 vaccine candidates, 34 diagnostics products or scale-up facilities, 10 therapeutics options, two proposals on drug repurposing and 14 projects related to preventive interventions.

“The Bennett University’s proposal is related to diagnostics (Fluorescence and Electrochemistry Mediated Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid) which may take care of testing needs of the country,” said an official in science ministry.