Which vaccine manufacturer company of India received approval to conduct phase III clinical trial of an intra… - UPPSC 2022

UPPSC 2022

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: UPPSC 2022

Explanation

Bharat Biotech, an Indian biotechnology company, received regulatory approval to conduct Phase III clinical trials for its intranasal COVID-19 booster vaccine.
This vaccine, named iNCOVACC (BBV154), is the world's first intranasal vaccine for COVID-19 to receive approval for both primary and heterologous booster doses.
It is a recombinant adenovirus-vectored vaccine administered as nasal drops, designed to elicit mucosal immunity in the upper respiratory tract.
The approval for trials and subsequent use marked a significant milestone in India's vaccine development efforts.

Option A: Serum Institute of India is primarily known for manufacturing Covishield (in collaboration with AstraZeneca) and Covovax. Both of these are administered intramuscularly, not intranasally.
Option C: Dr. Reddy's Laboratories partnered with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to conduct trials and distribute the Sputnik V vaccine in India. Sputnik V is an intramuscular vaccine.
Option D: Zydus Cadila developed ZyCoV-D, which is the world's first plasmid DNA vaccine for COVID-19. However, it is administered intradermally (into the skin) using a needle-free applicator, not intranasally.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Manufacturers in India helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Intranasal vaccines offer a non-invasive, needle-free alternative, which can improve vaccine acceptance, reduce the need for trained personnel for administration, and eliminate risks associated with needles.
By stimulating local immunity in the nasal mucosa (the primary entry point for respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2), these vaccines have the potential to block infection and transmission more effectively than intramuscular shots, which primarily induce systemic immunity.
The development of diverse vaccine platforms within India, including intranasal, demonstrates the country's growing capability in pharmaceutical research and manufacturing, crucial for public health preparedness.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Indian company', 'intranasal booster dose', and 'phase III clinical trial'. The most specific and unique term is 'intranasal'.
Next, review the options, which are all major Indian pharmaceutical companies involved in COVID-19 vaccine efforts.
Recall or deduce the primary COVID-19 vaccine associated with each company. For example, Serum Institute is linked with Covishield, and Bharat Biotech with Covaxin.
Focus on the administration route. Differentiate which company developed a vaccine that is not the standard intramuscular injection.
Eliminate options known for intramuscular vaccines (Serum Institute, Dr. Reddy's for Sputnik V) or other non-intranasal routes (Zydus Cadila for intradermal ZyCoV-D).
This process of elimination and specific recall will lead to Bharat Biotech, the only company in the list that developed an intranasal vaccine (iNCOVACC).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Manufacturers in India
Stem keywords: vaccine manufacturer, India, phase III clinical trial, intranasal booster dose
Lead-in keywords: Which

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