On Monday, Dr. N Madhusudan Rao, CEO-Atal Incubation Centre at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), stated that India has created mRNA technology to combat COVID-19.
He claims that the mRNA platform provides versatility that other vaccination platforms do not have. The Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) has announced the creation of the country’s first prospective mRNA vaccine candidate to combat SARS-CoV-2, claiming that it offers flexibility that other vaccination platforms do not have.
The mRNA technology includes a messenger RNA, a DNA sequence copy, and a protein blueprint. In an mRNA vaccination, the mRNA carries the spike protein sequence information.
This mRNA is encapsulated in a lipid coating and administered intravenously. It produces the spike protein in body cells, which triggers protective antibodies to attack the coronavirus.
Dr Rao, a Principal Scientist of the mRNA platform, told ANI in an exclusive interview, “We can state that we have mRNA technology against COVID.” The West was solely employing the mRNA vaccine during the epidemic, but it never made it to other nations. “
Dr. Rao went on to say that in the setting of COVID-19, where the variation of concerns is always changing, the mRNA vaccine is swiftly modified.
“… particularly in the setting of COVID, where the variations of concern are constantly shifting.” People become concerned when a prior immunisation and COVID appear to be less effective. As a result, this platform allows you to easily rewrite your platform for the new variation in a very short period of time. Other typical systems require a somewhat longer turnaround time to adapt to new variations, but this one does not, which is a significant benefit, “he added.
He also stated that these immunizations are inexpensive. “The second benefit is the low cost of infrastructure.” In a much smaller system, you can generate a million different types of dosages.
We decided to go for it because of the flexibility and cheaper input costs, and we mainly want to show that we can do it, “Dr Rao added.
The vaccine platform has the potential for numerous infectious illnesses affecting India, such as malaria, dengue fever, and TB.
We also know that this platform is highly beneficial for other diseases, particularly those centred in India, such as malaria, dengue, or TB, because this was not a publicly tested platform prior to COVID. It has been on the anvil for quite some time. But the point is that it was never distributed to the people, “Dr. Rao explained.
“When you examine the sort of vaccine that Gennova is generating, it has yet to be introduced,” he said of Gennova Pharma’s use of an mRNA COVID vaccine. Gennova is the first company to commit to phase three investigations in collaboration with HDT, a US company. “Their technology is known as self-amplifying mRNA, and it is connected to mRNA basic technologies in general, but it does not do what Moderna or Pfizer did.”
He stated that India’s mRNA technology is comparable to that of the Moderna firm.
“Ours is a type of duplication of Moderna, and we are nothing like what Gennova is doing,” he explained.
“There is also an animal challenge study required.” In challenge experiments, we use animals, provide a formulation, and examine how the real virus is used. These studies are currently underway. These findings might be available in a month. Two, that data would be available in a month or so, at which point additional organisations may be eager to go forward. According to Dr. Rao, private companies are exhibiting an interest in the technology.
