Page 27 - Covid 12 July 2021

The facility at NCCS, Pune, has now been notified as a central drugs laboratory for testing and lot release of COVID-19 vaccines vide Gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on 28 June 2021.The facility at NIAB, Hyderabad is likely to receive necessary notification shortly.
With generous support from PM CARES Fund trust, in a very short span of time, both the institutions through relentless efforts have set up state-of-the-art modern facilities for this purpose. The facilities are expected to test approximately 60 batches of vaccines per month. The facilities are geared up to test the existing COVID-19 vaccines and other newer COVID-19 vaccines as per the demand of the nation. This will not only expedite the vaccine manufacture and supply but also be logistically convenient considering that both Pune and Hyderabad are the two vaccine manufacturing hubs.
DBT-NIAB Central Drugs Laboratory for COVID-19 vaccine testing being constructed with support from PM CARES Fund trust
Website link:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1732660
IIT Delhi develops novel antifungal strategy for fungal eye infection
An IIT Delhi scientist led research team has developed a novel antifungal strategy for fungal eye infection (fungal keratitis). The team has successfully developed a novel peptide-based antifungal strategy for enhanced Natamycin penetration. The developed peptide-drug conjugate showed an appreciable antifungal effect in the lab. These peptides are known to have the ability to carry molecules with them in the cells. Therefore, when poorly permeable Natamycin was attached to the peptide, the formed complex showed better antifungal effect.
VOL. IV ISSUE 6
VIGYAN PRASAR 23
NATION’S S&T EFFORTS AGAINST COVID-19