The Serum Institute of India (SII), which has partnered with British-Swedish pharma company AstraZeneca for manufacturing the University of Oxford vaccine candidate for COVID-19, has sought permission from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for conducting “phase 2/3 human clinical trials” of the potential vaccine, highly-placed sources said on Saturday. Also read | Serum Institute may manufacture 2-3 million Oxford vaccine doses in JulyThe sources told PTI that the Pune-based drug firm submitted its application to the DCGI on Friday, seeking permission for conducting trials of ‘Covidshield’. To introduce the vaccine, SII, the world’s largest vaccine maker by number of doses produced and sold, has signed an agreement to manufacture the potential vaccine developed by the Jenner Institute (Oxford University) in collaboration with AstraZeneca. The firm plans to start the phase 2 and 3 human trials in India in August. Oxford University on Monday announced satisfactory progress with the vaccine, making it one of the leading vaccine candidates among the dozens being developed around the world.

Source: The Hindu July 25, 2020 11:46 UTC