India (Commonwealth Union) – The fears surrounding COVID-19 have largely subsided, with the lifting of mask mandates and lockdowns in most parts of the world of the last few months. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the measures taken on containing the pandemic are being disputed by many experts while others insist, they were necessary at the time. In spite of the differences in opinion, many now agree that some measures were extreme and there is hardly any dispute when it comes to having a variety of options to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
The University of Hyderabad (UoH) and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) together with VINCOV-19, produced the 1st antidote to fight COVID-19. The researchers have seen positive results in the completion of Phase 2 Clinical Trials across a variety of centers in the country.
UoH and CCMB joined hands with VINS Bioproducts Limited, a prominent immunological firm in Hyderabad to complete Phase 2 Clinical Trials with positive results of VINCOV-19, India’s 1st antidote and a cure for SARS-CoV-2. VINCOV-19 is presently set for market authorization and concurrent Phase 3 Clinical Trials which is likely to see participations of much larger numbers.
Phase 2 Clinical Trials saw the participation of over 200 patients and also tested the antidote against the Omicron variant to make sure full coverage against the virus was seen together with its known mutations. Phase 2 Clinical Trials also saw VINCOV-19 taken by patients with moderate severity of COVID-19. The 1st patient group of were given VINCOV-19, plus Standard of Care (SoC), the other group was given just Standard of Care (SoC). VINCOV-19 indicated a promising safety profile in the Phase 2 Trials.
“These therapeutic antibodies are the first in India and among the few around the globe. It is essential to have multiple options, including therapeutic antibodies, especially for severe clinical cases of COVID,” said Dr. Vinay K. Nandicoori, Director, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology.
