the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) in Hyderabad and the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) in Pune, as Central Drug Laboratories (CDLs). PM-CARES funds were used to support the project.
The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India continues to assist and upgrade the vaccine development and production ecosystem. The establishment of vaccine testing facilities at NCCS in Pune and NIAB in Hyderabad is an attempt towards this initiative.
The National Institute of Animal Biotechnology laboratory has been promoted as a Central Drugs Laboratory for COVID-19 vaccine testing center in Hyderabad, with fund assistance from PM CARES funds. The laboratory at NIAB in Hyderabad has now been designated as a Central Drugs Laboratory for COVID-19 vaccine testing and lot release. On August 17, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare published a gazette notification. On June 28, 2021, the NCCS facility in Pune was designated as a CDL.
Every month, the two labs are estimated to test around 60 batches of vaccinations. Because the facilities are close to the nation’s vaccine manufacturing centres, logistics for vaccine manufacture and delivery are expected to be simplified. The tremendous assistance provided by PM-CARES Funds, as well as the two institutions’ tireless efforts, have allowed for the fast upgrade and establishment of modern GLP compliant vaccine testing centers that supports the national demand. This will help the vaccine supply chain and improve India’s huge immunization campaign.
