BIRAC invites research proposals to support Covid-19 vaccine development

PSM News /

Mumbai, June 14, 2021:

 

The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), has invited proposals on vaccine development under its Covid Suraksha programme.

 

The features of the call are to upgrade or strengthen Service Facilities for conduct of animal studies and immunological assays that is available to Covid-19 vaccine developers. It will help in accelerating development of Covid-19 vaccines in the pipeline.

 

The focus of this mission is to consolidate and streamline available resources towards a warpath for accelerated vaccine development. This will be a National Mission working to bring to the citizens of the country a safe, efficacious, affordable, and accessible Covid-19 vaccine at the earliest with a focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat, and fulfill our commitment of serving not just the country but the entire globe.

 

The proposals are invited foe establishing clinical trial sites, immunoassay laboratories, central labs and suitable facilities for animal challenge studies, manufacturing facilities and other testing facilities to support Covid-19 vaccine development.

 

To ensure a steady supply of vaccines in the next 12-18 months, DBT has established Mission Covid Suraksha. While the government efforts have helped quickly put together the best groups and encouraged them to accelerate the Covid-19 vaccine development, it is now imperative that the Covid-19 vaccine development and manufacturing are taken up in a Mission mode and not in a project mode.

 

BIRAC as a Government Enterprise has been identified by DBT to effectively implement Mission Covid Suraksha by setting up a Mission Implementation Unit (MIU).

 

A single or consortia of Indian companies, registered under ‘The Indian Companies Act 2013’ with minimum 51 per cent of Indian ownership, and in-house R&D unit, are eligible apply for this programme, either alone or in collaboration with another company, institute or university.

 

The last date for submitting the proposal is June 15, 2021. Pharma News