Context: Indigenous mRNA vaccine candidate supported by DBT gets Drug Controller nod to initiate Human clinical trials.

• The mRNA vaccines do not use the conventional model to produce immune response.
• Instead, mRNA vaccine carries the molecular instructions to make the protein in the body through a synthetic RNA of the virus.
• The host body uses this to produce the viral protein that is recognized and thereby making the body mount an immune response against the disease.
• mRNA-based vaccines are scientifically the ideal choice to address a pandemic because of their rapid developmental timeline.
• The mRNA vaccine is considered safe as is non-infectious, non-integrating in nature, and degraded by standard cellular mechanisms.
• They are expected to be highly efficacious because of their inherent capability of being translatable into the protein structure inside the cell cytoplasm.
• Additionally, mRNA vaccines are fully synthetic and do not require a host for growth, e.g., eggs or bacteria. Therefore, they can be quickly manufactured in an inexpensive manner under cGMP conditions to ensure their "availability" and "accessibility" for mass vaccination on a sustainable basis.

Ind-CEPI mission

• The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India is implementing the Ind-CEPI mission ‘India Centric Epidemic Preparedness through Rapid Vaccine Development: Supporting Indian Vaccine Development’ which is aligned with the Global Initiative of CEPIand aims  to strengthen the development of vaccines and associated competencies/technologies for the diseases of epidemic potential in India.
• The Ind-CEPI mission of DBT is implemented by its PSU, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1680031

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