Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has partnered with Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) to develop a fully indigenous vaccine for COVID-19, the top health research body said on Saturday.
The vaccine will be developed using the virus strain isolated at the ICMR's National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, a statement said.
The strain has been successfully transferred from NIV to BBIL, it added.
"Work on vaccine development has been initiated between the two partners. The ICMR-NIV will provide continuous support to BBIL for vaccine development. ICMR and BBIL will seek fast-track approvals to expedite vaccine development, subsequent animal studies and clinical evaluation of the candidate vaccine," the health research body said in the statement.
The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 1,981 and the number of cases climbed to 59,662 in the country today, according to the Health Ministry.
Bharat Biotech Adds Top Medical Body ICMR As Co-Owner Of Covid Vaccine Patent "Remarkable Influence": Bharat Biotech Co-Founder Honoured By Johns Hopkins Top Medical Body Slams Study On Covaxin Safety, Side-Effects, Wants Apology Student Dies, 2 Others Trapped In Delhi Coaching Centre's Flooded Basement At Olympics Opening Ceremony, Drag Parody Of 'The Last Supper' Draws Flak US Scientists Play God: New Element Created In A Lab Experiment Woman Gym Trainer, 21, Killed Inside Delhi Flat Ministers Making Threatening Remarks Against Opposition: Congress MP 2 Students Killed, 13 Injured After Pickup Van Rams Truck In UP Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.