Zydus Cadila has applied to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for ZyCoV-D, its plasmid DNA vaccine to counter COVID-19.
- According to Cadila, it will be the world’s first plasmid DNA vaccine for COVID-19.
- The vaccine will come with PharmaJet, a needle-free applicator that will ensure painless intradermal vaccine delivery. This would cost extra.
About plasmid DNA vaccine
- Like any other type of vaccine, DNA vaccines induce an adaptive immune response. According to the WHO, the DNA Plasmid involves the direct introduction into appropriate tissues of a plasmid containing the DNA sequence encoding the antigen(s) against which an immune response is sought, and relies on the in situ production of the target antigen.
- This approach offers a number of potential advantages over traditional approaches, including the stimulation of both B- and T-cell responses, improved vaccine stability, the absence of any infectious agent and the relative ease of large-scale manufacture.
