VINCOV-19, country’s first anti-dote for COVID, ready for

clinical trials were conducted across multiple centres in the country involving over 200 patients and were completed in September. These trials also included testing the antidote against the Omicron variant to ensure maximum coverage against the virus and its known mutations.

One group of patients was given VINCOV-19, along with Standard of Care (SoC), and another group was given Standard of Care (SoC) only. VINCOV-19 showed an excellent safety profile in the phase 2 trials. There was a good and early improvement in the clinical condition of the patients administered VINCOV-19.

VINCOV-19 contains Equine polyclonal antibodies (EpAbs) against the COVID-19 virus and comprises highly purified F(ab’)2 antibody fragments that have a high neutralising capacity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Since neutralising antibodies could block the internalisation of SARS-CoV-2 to lung cells, it was postulated that their passive administration should render maximal clinical benefits if they are applied at the early stages of the disease.

The CCMB team led by Dr. Krishnan H. Harshan developed the viral antigen, UoH team led by Dr. Nooruddin Khan of the department of animal biology, School of Life sciences, worked on the product characterisation while the VINS Bioproducts managed the equine immunisation and clinical development in their state-of-the-art