Hyderabad company, Australian varsity partner for vaccine

HYDERABAD: Vaccine manufacturer Indian Immunologicals (IIL) has commenced research in partnership with Australia’s Griffith University to develop a vaccine for Covid-19. Scientists from India and Australia will develop a ‘live attenuated SARS – CoV-2 vaccine’ using the latest codon deoptimisation technology, Hyderabad-headquartered IIL said in a statement on Tuesday. The two entities have signed a pact, it said.

The vaccine maker said the technology looks promising for developing a vaccine for prophylactic, active, single-dose immunisation against novel coronavirus in humans, with an enhanced safety profile. “The vaccine is expected to provide long-lasting protection with a single dose administration with an anticipated safety profile similar to other licensed vaccines for active immunisation,” IIL said.

IIL, which is promoted by the National Dairy Development Board, said on completion of research, the vaccine strain will be transferred to it, wherein it will work with India’s regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, to conduct clinical trials. IIL intends to use its Vero cell platform tech for mass production of the vaccine.


K Anand Kumar, IIL’s MD, said, “IIL is committed to addressing critical public health needs by engaging in this collaboration.”