The Vaccine War 2023

National Steering for Indigenous Vaccine

The Director General of ICMR spearheads an accelerated vaccine project during the COVID-19 crisis. A high-level expert committee is formed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, ICMR, and Bharat Biotech to oversee development and policy decisions. The committee sets the strategic direction and milestones for the program.

Formation of Core Scientific Team

A bioengineering team led by Dr. Priya Abraham at ICMR-NIV is assembled, bringing together virologists, epidemiologists, and infectious disease scientists. The group coordinates cross-disciplinary efforts across institutions to accelerate vaccine design. The lineup includes key researchers such as Dr. Sreelekshmy Mohandas, Dr. Nivedita Gupta, and Dr. Pragya Yadav.

SARS-CoV-2 Strain NIV-2020-770 Retrieved

The SARS-CoV-2 strain NIV-2020-770 is retrieved from tourists arriving in New Delhi. The team begins work to characterize the virus and plan vaccine development, including initial inactivation strategies. They start using Vero CCL-81 cells to study the virus in controlled conditions.

Genome Sequencing and Data Deposit

The team sequences the viral genome and deposits the data in the GISAID database, enabling global access and collaboration. Sequencing informs design choices and quality controls for the vaccine candidate. This step underscores openness in data sharing amid the pandemic.

Development of BBV152 Inactivated Vaccine

The team reports the development of an inactivated whole-virion SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, BBV152. The vaccine formulation is designed to elicit neutralizing antibody responses. Early preclinical tests are conducted to assess safety and immunogenicity.

Preclinical Animal Testing

Animal studies show that BBV152 elicits neutralizing antibody responses, indicating potential protective immunity. These results support moving forward into human trials. The tests confirm the vaccine candidate's immunogenicity in controlled conditions.

Phase I Clinical Trial Initiation

Phase I clinical trials of BBV152 commence under regulatory supervision. The trials assess safety, tolerability, and preliminary immunogenicity in human volunteers. The process involves multiple trial sites and careful monitoring.

Advisory Committee Review

A high-level expert committee reviews trial data and progress to ensure regulatory readiness. They coordinate with ICMR, MoHFW, and Bharat Biotech to plan next steps. The committee's guidance shapes timelines and milestones.

Spearheading Domestic Vaccine Effort

The project demonstrates how domestic collaboration accelerates vaccine development during a global crisis. It showcases the capacity of Indian institutions to deliver an indigenous vaccine. The effort strengthens national self-reliance in vaccine production.

Key Team Members and Roles

The core team includes virologists, epidemiologists, and bioengineers working under Dr. Priya Abraham. Notable researchers include Dr. Sreelekshmy Mohandas, Dr. Nivedita Gupta, Dr. Pragya Yadav, Dr. Rajni Kant Srivastava, Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar, Dr. Samiran Panda, Dr. Varsha Potdar, and Dr. Enna Dogra Gupta. Their collaboration speeds up data sharing and bench-to-bedside translation.

Virus Stock and Culture Verification

The lab ensures proper handling of the NIV-2020-770 strain in BSL-3 facilities and documents the stock for reproducibility. Quality control steps are performed to confirm identity and viability. This step is essential for safe development of the vaccine candidate.