PM Modi Hails Approval Of World’s First DNA Based ‘ZyCov-D’ Vaccine

The approval for the world's first DNA-based ‘ZyCov-D’ vaccine of Zydus Universe shows the innovative zeal of Indian scientists, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday. 

Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter and wrote, "India is fighting COVID-19 with full vigour. The approval for the world's first DNA-based ‘ZyCov-D’ vaccine of Zydus Universe is a testimony to the innovative zeal of India’s scientists. A momentous feat indeed."

Earlier, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) informed that it has approved the vaccine after evaluation of interim Phase III clinical trial results in consultation with the Subject Expert Committee. 

The CDSCO tweeted from its official handle and wrote, "After evaluation of interim Phase III clinical trial results in consultation with Subject Expert Committee, CDSCO has approved DNA COVID-19 vaccine (ZyCoV-D) of M/s Cadila Healthcare for restricted use in an emergency situation in India for 12 years and above." 

As per the Minister of Science and Technology, The Phase-III Clinical Trials were performed on approximately 28,000 volunteers, which shows a 66.6 per cent efficiency. "Interim results from Phase-III Clinical Trials, in over 28,000 volunteers, showed primary efficacy of 66.6 per cent for symptomatic RT-PCR positive cases. This has been the largest vaccine trial so far in India for COVID-19. This vaccine had already exhibited robust immunogenicity and tolerability and safety profile in the adaptive Phase I/II clinical trials carried out earlier. Both the Phase I/II and Phase III clinical trials have been monitored by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB)," Ministry stated in an official statement.