Coronavirus: India adds 2,858 neww Covid cases in 24 Hours

India's first indigenous mRNA Covid-19 vaccine technology has been developed by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and will be tested against the coronavirus infection. It is currently at a pre-clinical study stage.

Almost 90% effective against Covid-19 in the mouse model, mRNA vaccines can also be used to neutralize diseases like malaria, dengue and tuberculosis, The Times of India reported.

"The team at the Atal Incubation Centre attached to the CCMB led the development of the vaccine candidate within a year of the project inception," Dr Vinay Nandicoori, director of the CCMB, told sources .

Meanwhile, the drug regulatory authority of India is upset with Pune-based vaccine-maker Gennova Biopharmaceuticals over the alleged violation of clinical trial protocols for its mRNA vaccine against Covid-19, sources reported on Friday.

The vaccine, known as GEMCOVAC-19, is the country's first homegrown mRNA Covid- 19 vaccine, which is a heat stable product and pegged as a game-changer for the future of the healthcare industry.

While Gennova had submitted interim data on its mRNA Covid vaccine to the drug regulator seeking the emergency use authorisation in March, the regulatory agency, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), has noticed at least five modifications in the trial protocol which were undertaken without seeking approval from the drug regulator, thus violating the protocols.