CCMB to Launch Trials for India’s First mRNA-Based Chikungunya Vaccine

Speedy Summary

• CSIR-Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) plans larger-scale trials of an indigenously developed mRNA vaccine for Chikungunya.
• Chikungunya is prevalent in India and lacks a vaccine; lab data trials for the new vaccine show promising results in producing antibodies against viral proteins.
• Next trial phase includes infecting animals to evaluate if the virus load decreases post-vaccine governance.
• Initial mRNA vaccine research for tuberculosis (TB) has been conducted, but further trials require notable funding.
• AIC’s mRNA-based technology was successfully demonstrated during the COVID pandemic but did not attract substantial interest or collaborative investment from Indian or foreign firms.
• The CEO highlighted the tendency of firms to license foreign technologies at higher costs rather than leveraging local innovations, citing their indigenously developed mRNA platform as safe and FDA comparable.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The initiative by AIC-CCMB to advance India’s indigenous mRNA technology points toward an vital step in addressing diseases like Chikungunya and tuberculosis that substantially impact public health. While results from laboratory research indicate potential success,scaling up these efforts through animal testing is contingent on adequate funding-a hurdle many domestic research institutions face compared to global counterparts.

The lack of substantial industry support despite proven safety standards underscores challenges within India’s innovation ecosystem, where foreign technologies are often prioritized over local advancements. This highlights a critical gap in aligning public health priorities with investment strategies. If triumphant, indigenously developed vaccines could pave the way for faster responses to outbreaks at lower costs while reducing dependence on international tech frameworks.

For more updates: Read More