Regulatory body experts clear Bharat Biotech’s nasal COVID vaccine for Phase 1 trials

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 19

The subject expert committee of the national regulatory authority on Tuesday night recommended grant of phase one clinical trial for India’s first intra-nasal COVID vaccine being developed by Bharat Biotech.

The Drug Controller General of India is expected to grant the formal approval tomorrow.

The nasal route has excellent potential for vaccination due to the organised immune systems of the nasal mucosa. It is non invasive, needle free and enables ease of administration as it does not require trained health care workers.

Elimination of needle-associated risks (injuries and infections) is another advantage of a nasal vaccine.