The Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has announced the completion of enrolment of phase-3 clinical trials for potential COVID-19 vaccine Covishield in India. Both the research institutes have collaborated for the clinical development of Covovax developed by Novavax, US and upscaled by SII, a statement said.

“The partnership is a stellar example of private-public institutes collaborating to mitigate the dire consequences of the pandemic outbreak,” the ICMR said in the statement. While the ICMR has funded the clinical trial site fees, SII has funded other expenses for Covishield. Presently, SII and ICMR are conducting phase 2/3 clinical trials of Covishield at 15 different centres across the country. It had completed the enrolment of all 1,600 participants on October 31.

“The promising result of the trials so far gives confidence that Covishield could be a realistic solution to the deadly pandemic. Covishield is by far the most advanced vaccine in human testing in India,” the ICMR added. Covishield has been developed at SII Pune laboratory with a master seed from Oxford University/AstraZeneca. The vaccine made in the United Kingdom is currently being tested in large efficacy trials in the UK, Brazil, South Africa and the US, the statement said.

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