ICMR defends timeline for coronavirus vaccine trials
Mumbai: India's leading clinical research agency said Saturday its decision to fast-track development of a potential coronavirus vaccine was in line with international standards after health experts raised concerns about the schedule for clinical trials.
The Indian Council of Medical Research issued a statement after a letter was leaked on Friday showing ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava as saying the agency "envisaged" launch of the vaccine for public health use by Aug. 15, with the aim to begin patient enrolment for human trials by July 7.
The vaccine, being jointly developed by India's Bharat Biotech and ICMR, is one of several candidates being tested globally to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Vaccine trials usually take years to complete, though regulators have allowed testing on some potential vaccines to be fast-tracked in light of the public health emergency.
The ICMR's timeline drew criticism here from health experts in India, who expressed concern the trials would compromise patient safety and ethics.
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