Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Develops India's First mRNA-Based Vaccine Platform Supported by BIRAC
Key Highlights :
Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, an Indian biopharmaceutical company, has developed the nation's first mRNA-based vaccine platform supported by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). The platform was developed with the help of the Mission COVID Suraksha, implemented by BIRAC, and has been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Drug Control General of India (DCGI).
The mRNA-based vaccine, GEMCOVAC-OM, is a thermostable vaccine, which does not require ultra-cold chain infrastructure used for other approved mRNA-based vaccines, making it easy for deployment pan India. It is delivered intra-dermally using a needle-free injection device system. When administered intradermally in participants as a booster,it generated significantly higher immune responses.
The platform technology was developed with the help of the Mission COVID Suraksha, implemented by BIRAC, and has been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Drug Control General of India (DCGI). Speaking on the development, Jitendra Singh, Union Minister (IC), Ministry of Science and Technology, said, "We have always supported technology-driven innovation towards the creation of a 'future-ready' technology platform in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmanirbharta."
Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary, DBT, and Chairperson, BIRAC said that Strategic infusion of funds is essential to drive and create an ecosystem for technological innovation, and DBT did just that when it provided support for the development of the nation’s first mRNA-based platform technology. This is a disease-agnostic platform and can be used to make other vaccines in a relatively short developmental timeline.
CEO of Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd, Dr. Sanjay Singh, said, "When we started the development of this platform technology and took the proposal to DBT, the Government believed in our capability to develop an mRNA technology platform, and we did it. GEMCOVAC-OM's getting EUA from the office of the DCG(I) is a testimony of our efforts to initiate, nurture and enable this 'pandemic ready' technology. India has now developed not one but two mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 using this rapid-disease-agnostic platform technology. I am proud that my team has worked tirelessly over the last two years to develop the nation's first mRNA vaccine. This is a team effort & without the guidance of the Subject Expert Committee of CDSCO and the Vaccine Expert Committee of BIRAC monitoring the project, it would not have been possible."
Gennova Biopharmaceuticals' development of the nation's first mRNA-based vaccine platform, supported by BIRAC, is a major milestone in the fight against COVID-19. With the help of this platform, India can now develop other vaccines in a relatively short timeline, further aiding in the fight against the pandemic. The platform's thermostable nature also makes it easier to deploy pan India, without the need for ultra-cold chain infrastructure. This development is a testament to the success of the Mission COVID Suraksha, implemented by BIRAC, and the commitment of the Government of India to enable technology-driven entrepreneurship.
