"Serum Institute of India (SII) and Codagenix have been working with utmost diligence and meticulous effort to develop a preventive vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The vaccine-virus strain is identical to the original virus and can generate a robust immune response. At present we are the pre-clinical phase, i.e. the animal trial phase. In two- month time, we hope to get some results on the animal studies and then based on the regulatory path we take, and which countries allow for the most ethical and fastest approval clearance for the human trial phase; the way ahead will be determined. The company plans to do its clinical (human) trials in India, adhering to the ethics and safety standards. We have also been approached by other companies and things are in process. As the vaccine leaders of the world, we should step up and contribute towards combatting these kinds of pandemics. This product will have to be handled under BSL 3 (biosafety level) conditions which basically is a very high containment level. I don't know how many facilities in the world have high volume manufacturing in BSL 3, we don't. We will have to see if this can be toned down. Even if you have the vaccine the main challenge will be to manufacture it at a large volume.”

- Adar Poonawalla, CEO, SII