New Delhi, May 16: Dr N Madhusudan Rao, CEO-Atal Incubation Centre at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) on Monday said that India has developed mRNA technology against the COVID-19.
He said that the mRNA platform has an advantage of flexibility which isn’t with other vaccine platforms.
The Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) recently announced the development of the country’s first potential mRNA vaccine candidate to fight against SARS-CoV-2, stating that it has an advantage of flexibility which isn’t with other vaccine platforms.
The mRNA technology is a messenger RNA, a copy of DNA sequence, and is a blueprint to make a protein. In mRNA vaccine, the mRNA carries the sequence information of spike protein. This mRNA is encapsulated in lipid formulation and injected into the body. In the body cells, it makes the spike protein, which stimulates protective antibodies to fight the coronavirus.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Dr Rao explained that in the context of COVID-19 where there is a constant shift of variant of concerns mRNA vaccine is quickly redesigned. “…especially makes more sense in the context of COVID where there is a constant shift of the variants of concern. During a previous vaccine and COVID seems to be less effective and then people get worried. So, this platform gives you an opportunity to quickly rehash your platform to the new variant in a very short time. Other conventional platforms have a more, a bit longer turnaround time to adapt to the new variants, but this one does which is a major advantage,” he said.
He also said that these vaccines are cost-effective. (ANI)
