Which of the following is the first indigenous drug to treat COVID-19 developed jointly by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), VINS Bioproducts and the University of Hyderabad (UoH)?

Correct option is D

Sol: The correct answer is (d) Vincov-19

Key Points:

• This drug is an antibody-based therapy designed to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
  
• It was developed by utilizing antibodies from equines and showed promising results in preclinical and early human trials.
  
• It represents an example of passive immunotherapy, where pre-formed antibodies are administered to combat the infection directly.
• ​Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB): Played a critical role in isolating and studying the virus and identifying its vulnerabilities.
• ​Antibodies in VINCOV-19 bind to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, neutralizing the virus and preventing it from infecting human cells.
  

Information booster:

Moderna:

• Developed Spikevax (mRNA-1273), one of the first mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines.
• Known for its high efficacy (~94%) and mRNA technology.
• Vaccine developed by Moderna in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)
  

Covishield:

• The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
• Uses a viral vector platform (chimpanzee adenovirus).
• Widely distributed globally and in India for its cost-effectiveness and robust immune response.