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COVAXIN®: A PIONEERING INDIAN

COVID-19 VACCINE

Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the
world raced against time to develop a vaccine that could

end the crisis. Bharat Biotech developed COVAXIN®, in

collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research

(ICMR), a pioneering, safe, affordable, and efficacious

vaccine, and a key player in the fight against the deadly
virus. The development of COVAXIN® exemplifies India’s

commitment to combating the COVID-19 pandemic

through innovative and indigenous solutions

EMERGENCE OF THE PANDEMIC AND
Dr. Krishna M. Ella
INDIA’S RESPONSE Executive Chairman, Bharat Biotech

When COVID-19 emerged in late 2019, recognizing the

humanitarian health crisis, Bharat Biotech, an Indian biotechnology company with a history of vaccine development,

rose to the occasion. During the peak of the pandemic in mid-2020, Bharat Biotech utilised an isolate of the SARS-
CoV-2 virus that was provided by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, India. The progress made in the

development of COVAXIN® is a testament to India’s scientific prowess, self- reliance, and commitment to public health.

COLLABORATION AND INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGY

The development of COVAXIN® was the outcome of a strategic collaboration between Bharat Biotech and ICMR.

Unlike other vaccines, COVAXIN® utilised an indigenous inactivated virus-based technology, in combination with

novel adjuvant which stimulates cell mediated immune responses. The inactivated virus approach involves growing the
SARS-CoV-2 virus in a controlled environment and then rendering it non-infectious. This technology was a familiar path

for Bharat Biotech, as they had successfully developed other vaccines using a similar approach in the past, hence, safety

was assured.

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