From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 13: The premier Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru is developing a vaccine against the Covid 19 pandemic, which is showing promising results with better neutralizing effects than other existing vaccines.

This information was shared with Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar, who also is in charge of Medical Education, by Indian Institute of Science Prof Govindan Rangarajan during an interaction on Thursday.

"This vaccine is yet to begin the human trial process and could be a big breakthrough in India's battle against pandemic as the vaccine can be stored in room temperatures up to 30?,’’ Prof Rangarajaan pointed out.

From a public health point of view, he said this is a huge advantage as it enables the government to scale up the distribution of vaccine in a much faster and easier way.

Dr Sudhakar interacted with Prof Govindan Rangarajan, Director of Indian Institute of Science (IISc), to seek the premier science institute's support in battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

Oxygen concentrators

During the interaction, Prof Govindan Rangarajan apprised the Minister about various research work being carried out by scientists at IISc including designing a more efficient oxygen concentrator and also a vaccine for Covid-19 which can be stored at room temperature up to 30°C.

IISc has developed an oxygen concentrator of 10 LPM capacity, which is being tested for its clinical validation at Bangalore Medical College.

Prof Rangarajan said the results have been promising and claimed that the oxygen output is about 90% and hence more efficient compared to the Chinese concentrators whose output is about 40-50%.

The IISc director sought the support of Minister Dr Sudhakar to expedite the process of clinical validation and also help in obtaining regulatory approval from Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for its emergency use.

Dr Sudhakar assured all necessary support from the government and said he will take up the matter immediately with the RGUHS vice-chancellor and concerned Union Ministers.

Oxygen generator plants

Health minister Dr Sudhakar sought IISc's help in developing an audit mechanism and finding ways for optimal utilisation of oxygen and minimise wastage at both refilling/bottling units and at hospitals.

Prof Rangarajan assured the Minister to extend all technical and engineering support to address this issue from the IISc.