Author: Biotech Express

India’s leading virologists have called for better genome sequencing after it was confirmed that a further mutation has been detected in the already “more transmissible” Delta variant. The Delta variant, or B.1.617.2, was first identified in India and responsible for the surge in cases and deaths during the country’s second wave. It is now also the dominant strain in the UK with up to 91 per cent of new infections, and experts say it is rising in prominence in the US too. Dr Vinod Scaria, a Delhi-based scientist with CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), said that the new…

A senior American diplomat assured that the Indian students will not require any proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the US, as quoted by PTI. ‘’They will need a negative report of their COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to their departure,” he added. Indian students will not require proof of COVID-19 vaccination instead a negative report of their COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours is sufficient to enter USAThe US embassy started giving US visa interview slots for Indian students from Monday. And since then there has high demand for student visa appointments. As the applicants are trying…

Having spent most of my time in understanding the fundamentals of plant biology at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and in some of the laboratories in USA and Germany, I moved to the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi in 1997, where I got more effectively involved in gene function studies and plant transformation. The aim of the group that I was heading at ICGEB was to understand the mechanisms and to develop abiotic and biotic stress tolerant plants. Thus tools of modern biology and plant biotechnology became part of my career. In 2004, I…

The percentage of deaths vis-à-vis the total Covishield doses administered stands at 0.000217, which means two out of every 10 lakh person who took Covishield died due to AEFI. As for Covaxin, the number was 0.00008 percent, meaning less than one in every 10 lakh vaccinated person died due to AEFI. Since India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive began on January 16 this year, more than 26,000 cases of Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) have been reported. As many as 488 deaths linked to post-vaccination complications have also been reported till June 7, of which 301 were men and 178 were women,…

The recruitment for the clinical trial of the country’s first indigenously-developed Covid vaccine –– Covaxin, among children falling in the age group of 6-12 years has begun at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. This will be followed by the clinical trial of 2-6 years’ children. The enrolment of children volunteers aged 12-18 years at the AIIMS has been completed and they have already been given the first dose of Covaxin. The trial is to be conducted in three parts — 175 volunteers each in the groups aged 12-18, 6-12 and 2-6 years. The Drugs Controller General…

Amid reports of forging deaths due to coronavirus in many states, the Central governmnet has written to many states on the same. The Centre in a letter to West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, Bihar and Karnataka has asked to provide data of deaths as per date and district wise. There have been ample reports that many states have been forging numbers about the deaths caused by coronavirus. Many anecdotal evidence and surveys of obituary notices in local newspapers had made it clear the official death toll in the ongoing second wave of the pandemic was an undercount…

Shares of AstraZeneca dipped in trading after the company announced its COVID-19 antibody therapeutics failed to provide high levels of protection for individuals who have had contact with a symptomatic COVID-19 patient. AstraZeneca announced its COVID-19 antibody therapeutics failed to provide high levels of protection for individuals who have had contact with a symptomatic COVID-19 patient.AstraZeneca said the Phase III STORM CHASER trial assessing AZD7442, a long-acting antibody (LAAB) combination, failed to meet the primary endpoint of post-exposure prevention of symptomatic COVID-19 compared to placebo. The failure marks a setback in the hunt for means other than vaccines to provide…

India’s vaccination drive is about to get another push as its largest vaccine manufacturer said Wednesday that it hopes to launch Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine ‘Covovax’ in India by September as its trials are in an advanced stage of completion. Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla told CNBC-TV18 that the trial of Novavax’s coronavirus vaccine in India is likely to conclude by November. However, as per the latest guidelines by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the company can still apply for licensure of the vaccine before completion of the trial on the basis of global test results. Novavax…

By Kamal Pratap Singh Covaxin approval has been delayed after EUA rejection by FDA which will delay the use of COVAXIN in USA and other countries, instead the FDA has suggested for direct Biologics License Applications BLA or full use. Covaxin Approval from WHO is also pending next month i.e. July 2021. International travel is also depending on vaccination status, many countries are now using it as a benchmark for allowing vaccinated foreign nationals to travel. Out of the three vaccines approved for use in India, only one—Covishield—features on the emergency use listing (EUL) of the World Health Organization (WHO).…

Prof Guntaka was first scientist who introduced recombinant biotech drugs in India by making Hep-B  vaccine for Shantha biotech company in 1990s. Now he is running his company Sudarshan Biotech and is involved in the discovery of Hep-C vaccine which is not available anywhere in the world. It is a privilege to have Dr. Ramareddy in the Advisory Board of Biotech Express magazine. Biotech Express welcome Prof Guntaka on its editorial board and we believe his accord will be much useful in current viral pandemic times. Prof Ramareddy V Guntaka Current Affiliations: Chairman and Chief Scientist, Sudarshan Biotech Pvt Ltd.,…