VINS Bioproducts, based in Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and the University of Hyderabad (UoH), has announced the successful completion of Phase 2 clinical trials of VINCOV-19, India’s first antidote and a cure against SARS-CoV-2 virus. VINCOV-19 is now ready for market authorization and for simultaneous Phase 3 clinical trials.

Phase 2 clinical trials were conducted across multiple centres in India and included over 200 patients. The trials also included testing the antidote against the omicron variant to ensure maximum coverage against the virus and its known mutations. 

Phase 2 clinical trials were completed successfully in September 2022. In this phase, VINCOV-19 was administered to patients with moderate severity of COVID-19. One group of patients was given VINCOV-19, along with Standard of Care (SoC), and another group was given Standard of Care (SoC) only. VINCOV-19 showed excellent safety profile in the Phase 2 Trials. There was a good and early improvement in the clinical condition of the patients administered VINCOV-19.

VINCOV-19 contains Equine polyclonal antibodies (EpAbs) against the COVID-19 virus. VINCOV-19 comprises highly purified F(ab’)2 antibody fragments that have a high neutralizing capacity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Since neutralizing antibodies could block the internalization of SARS-CoV-2 to lung cells, it was postulated that their passive administration should render maximal clinical benefits if they are applied at the early stages of the disease.