Himachal Pradesh institute’s antiserum trials show +ve results

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, May 4

Kasauli-based Central Research Institute (CRI) has manufactured an antiserum which has been found effective in neutralising the Covid virus, including its mutant strains. The test was conducted by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.

Neutralises virus

Antiserum is human or nonhuman blood serum containing polyclonal antibodies used to provide passive immunity against many diseases

Added protection

It will provide an additional protection to critical Covid patients and help reduce mortality

The CRI had begun working on the antiserum in April last year in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Institute director Dr Ajay Tahlan said, “The test result is heartening. It will pave the way for further trial. A lot of work was involved in manufacturing the antiserum. Horses were inoculated with dead virus provided by the NIV and antibodies were developed. The antiserum was then sent to Pune for testing.”

The antiserum will now be tested on more animals to study its efficacy. The animal toxological studies will be conducted at Hyderabad-based National Institute of Nutrition, he said.

After positive results, the institute will send the antiserum to Central Drug Laboratory for final testing. If successful, the institute will approach the drug controller seeking nod for manufacturing its commercial batches. “The entire process will take at least a year. We are hopeful that good results will be achieved. This will help in reducing the Covid mortality rate,” Dr Tahlan said.