Serum Institute set for clinical trials of Oxford Vax

Manish K Singhal

NEW DELHI, August 03 2020 (HS): In a move to expedite the efforts to combat spread of pandemic Covid-19 in the country, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given approval to Pune’s Serum Institute of India (SII) to conduct clinical trials of Oxford University-Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine in India.

The Health Ministry said, “Drugs Controller General of India has given approval to Serum Institute of India, Pune to conduct Phase II+III clinical trials of Oxford University-Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine (COVISHIELD) in India.”

The SII received approval by the India’s top drug regulator after a thorough evaluation based on the recommendations of the Subject Expert Committee on COVID-19.The institute had submitted an application seeking permission for conducting the trial in July last week.