New Delhi: 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, a lead Scientist of the mRNA platform, said, "We have mRNA technology against the COVID, we can say this. The west was using only mRNA vaccine for the pandemic, but somehow it never got to other countries."Dr Rao further 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."The second advantage is the cost of infrastructure. You can come up with the same million kinds of numbers of doses in a much smaller setup. The flexibility and the lower input costs set us to go for it and we basically want to demonstrate that we can do it," Dr Rao added. The vaccine platform holds promise for many infectious diseases that India centric like malaria or dengue or tuberculosis. "We also know this particular platform is very useful for other diseases, especially ones that are India centric, like malaria or dengue or tuberculosis because this was not a tested platform before COVID in a big public way. It was there on the anvil for a long time. But the point here is, it was never given to the people," Dr Rao said.On Gennova pharma company using mRNA COVID vaccine, he said, "When you think about the kind of vaccine the Gennova is developing, it has not been introduced so far. Gennova is the first company that is wedded to phase three trials in collaboration with a US company, called HDT. So, their technology is called self-amplifying mRNA, which broadly belongs to mRNA kind of basic technologies, but it is not what Moderna or Pfizer did." He said the technique for mRNA that India used is similar to the Moderna company. "Ours is a kind of a replication of Moderna and we are not anywhere similar to what Gennova is doing," he said. "There's one more requirement called an animal challenge studies. In challenge studies, we do it in the animals and give formulation and look at how the actual virus has been utilised.Those studies are going on. We may have these results in a month. So, that data would come in a month or so that time more companies may be more than satisfied to take this forward," Dr Rao said about private companies showing interest in the technology.—ANI

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.

With mRNA vaccine, India will have flexibility against Covid

Washington: Scientists have developed a new technique for imaging mRNA molecules in the brains of living mice. The research reveals new insights into how memories are formed and stored in the brain and could allow scientists to learn more about diseases such as Alzheimer's in the future.The paper is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).There is still a lot of mystery surrounding the process of how memory is physically created and stored in the brain. It is well known that mRNA a type of RNA involved in the creation of proteins is produced during the process of forming and storing memories, but the technology for studying this process on the cellular level has been limited. Previous studies have often involved dissecting mice in order to examine their brains.A team of researchers led by a University of Minnesota Twin Cities faculty member has developed a new technique that gives scientists a window into RNA synthesis in the brain of a mouse while it is still alive."We still know very little about memories in the brain," explained Hye Yoon Park, an associate professor in the University of Minnesota Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the study's lead author. "It's well known that mRNA synthesis is important for memory, but it was never possible to image this in a live brain. Our work is an important contribution to this field. We now have this new technology that neurobiologists can use for various different experiments and memory tests in the future." The University of Minnesota-led team's process involved genetic engineering, two-photon excitation microscopy, and optimized image processing software. By genetically modifying a mouse so that it produced mRNA labeled with green fluorescent proteins (proteins derived from a jellyfish), the researchers were able to see when and where the mouse's brain generated Arc mRNA, the specific type of molecule they were looking for.Because the mouse is alive, the researchers could study it for longer periods of time. Using this new process, the researchers performed two experiments on the mouse in which they were able to see in real time over a month what the neurons -- or nerve cells -- were doing as the mouse was forming and storing memories.Historically, neuroscientists have theorized that certain groups of neurons in the brain fire when a memory is formed, and that those same cells fire again when that moment or event is remembered. However, in both experiments, the researchers found that different groups of neurons fired each day they triggered the memory in the mouse. Over the course of several days after the mouse created this memory, they were able to locate a small group of cells that overlapped, or consistently generated the Arc mRNA each day, in the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) region of the brain, a group which they believe is responsible for the long-term storage of that memory. "Our research is about memory generation and retrieval," Park said. "If we can understand how this happens, it will be very helpful for us in understanding Alzheimer's disease and other memory-related diseases. Maybe people with Alzheimer's disease still store the memories somewhere -- they just can't retrieve them. So in the very long-term, perhaps this research can help us overcome these diseases." —ANI

 Scientists have developed a new technique for imaging mRNA molecules in the brains of living mice. The research reveals new insights into how memories are formed and stored in the brain and could allow scientists to learn more about diseases such as Alzheimer's in the future.

Scientists Develop Technique For Imaging mRNA Molecules In Brains Of Living Mice

New York: People who have received two or three doses of an mRNA Covid-19 vaccine are significantly more likely to have milder illnesses if infected with the Delta or Omicron coronavirus variants than those who are unvaccinated, according to a study.
The study, involving a team of University of Utah researchers, examined health care personnel, first responders and other frontline workers in the US.
It's encouraging that the mRNA vaccines hold up rather well against these variants," said Sarang Yoon, assistant professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at University of Utah Health.
"We know that breakthrough cases are more likely with Delta and Omicron than the initial strain, but the vaccines still do a good job of limiting the severity of the infection," Yoon said in a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Researchers examined 1,199 participants who developed Covid-19 infections.
Of the participants, 24 per cent were infected with Delta and 62 per cent contracted Omicron, while 14 per cent had the original virus strain.
In the case of Delta, participants who had received two vaccine doses were significantly less likely to be symptomatic than those who were unvaccinated.
In the case of Omicron, the risk of symptomatic infection was similar between participants with two vaccine doses and those who were unvaccinated, while those with three doses experienced a higher risk than the unvaccinated.
The authors noted that, while the study is among the largest of its kind examining Covid-19 vaccines over time and across variants, grouping participants by variant and vaccine status resulted in some combinations with relatively few people, affecting the precision of the findings.
There were also results the authors characterised as "unexpected" among participants who received three doses and had symptomatic Omicron infections. —IANS

People who have received two or three doses of an mRNA Covid-19 vaccine are significantly more likely to have milder illnesses if infected with the Delta or Omicron coronavirus variants than those who are unvaccinated, according to a study.

mRNA Vaccines Significantly Cut Severity Of Delta, Omicron Infections

New York: Monovalent Covid-19 booster vaccinations administered in early pregnancy (before 20 weeks' gestation) did not raise risk of miscarriage, two studies have shown.  The studies add to the growing understanding about the safety of Covid-19 booster vaccinations among people who are pregnant.  The researchers from HealthPartners Institute in Minneapolis, US, analysed data from more than 100,000 pregnancies between six and 19 weeks' gestation.  The data was collected between November 1, 2021, and June 12, 2022.  Researchers found, using a 28 or 42-day window, that receipt of a booster vaccination was not associated with miscarriage.  "Covid infection during pregnancy increases risk of poor outcomes, yet many people who are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant are hesitant to get a booster dose because of questions about safety," said Elyse Kharbanda, senior investigator at HealthPartners Institute and lead author of the study.  "Our data supports the safety of booster vaccination in early pregnancy," Kharbanda added, in the study published in JAMA Network Open.  Another study, published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, also led by HealthPartners Institute, showed that Covid booster vaccination at any point during pregnancy was not associated with increased risk for serious acute adverse events.  In that study, researchers evaluated data from more than 80,000 pregnancies that occurred between September 23, 2021 and June 30, 2022.  Booster vaccination in pregnancy did not increase risks for thrombocytopenia, myocarditis, venous thromboembolism, ischemic stroke, or other serious adverse events within 21 or 42 days after vaccination.  "We continue to find that Covid-19 vaccinations in pregnancy are safe," said Malini DeSilva, investigator at HealthPartners Institute and lead author of the study.  "Ongoing vaccine surveillance work is important because it provides reassurance and helps people feel confident in their vaccinations," DeSilva said. —IANS

 Monovalent Covid-19 booster vaccinations administered in early pregnancy (before 20 weeks' gestation) did not raise risk 

Covid mRNA booster vax in early pregnancy did not raise miscarriage risk

New Delhi (The Hawk): The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has announced that the Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine developed using the indigenous platform technology by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. and supported under the Mission COVID Suraksha, implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), has got a nod from the office of the Drug Control General of India (DCGI) for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). DBT has facilitated establishing Gennova's mRNA-based next-generation vaccine manufacturing for developingthe platform technology from proof of concept till Phase I clinical trial of the prototype mRNA-based vaccine developed against the Wuhan strain. The project was further supported under the'Mission COVID Suraksha. The Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission' by DBT's dedicated Mission Implementation Unit at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), for further clinical development and Scale up of the prototype vaccine, which received EUA on 29th June 2022. The platform technology developed was used to develop an Omicron-specific booster vaccine for COVID-19. GEMCOVAC®-OM is an Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine developed using the indigenous platform technology by Gennova in collaboration with DBT. Like the prototype vaccine, GEMCOVAC®-OM is a thermostable vaccine, which does not require ultra-cold chain infrastructure used for other approved mRNA-based vaccines, making it easy for deployment pan India. It is delivered intra-dermally using a needle-free injection device system. When administered intradermally in participants as a booster,it generated significantly higher immune responses.The clinical outcome demonstrates the need for variant-specific vaccines for desired immune response. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister (IC), Ministry of Science and Technology, commended the efforts of team DBT and said, that"I take great pride in DBT fulfilling its mission yet again – enabling technology-driven entrepreneurship through creating this indigenous mRNA-platform technology. We have always supported technology-driven innovation towards the creation of a 'future-ready' technology platform in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmanirbharta. Minster also said, "Infrastructure to deploy vaccine in India, including LMICs, at 2-8°C exist today &amp; this innovation is tailored for the existing established supply-chain Infrastructure. The vaccine does not need ultra-low temperature conditions for transport and storage." Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary, DBT, and Chairperson, BIRAC said that Strategic infusion of funds is essential to drive and create an ecosystem for technological innovation, and DBT did just that when it provided support for the development of the nation’s first mRNA-based platform technology. This is a disease-agnostic platform and can be used to make other vaccines in a relatively short developmental timeline. "Clinical Trial Networks, with Consortia of Hospitals was supported by NBM-DBT and the same sites were used for the mRNA vaccine “clinical trials, he said.” Speaking on the development, CEO of Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd, Dr. Sanjay Singh, said, "When we started the development of this platform technology and took the proposal to DBT, the Government believed in our capability to develop an mRNA technology platform, and we did it. GEMCOVAC®-OM's getting EUA from the office of the DCG(I) is a testimony of our efforts to initiate, nurture and enable this 'pandemic ready' technology. India has now developed not one but two mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 using this rapid-disease-agnostic platform technology. I am proud that my team has worked tirelessly over the last two years to develop the nation's first mRNA vaccine. This is a team effort &amp; without the guidance of the Subject Expert Committee of CDSCO and the Vaccine Expert Committee of BIRAC monitoring the project, it would not have been possible." About DBT The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science &amp; Technology, promotes and accelerates the development of biotechnology in India, including the growth and application of biotechnology in the areas of agriculture, healthcare, animal sciences, environment, and industry. About BIRAC: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is a not-for-profit Section 8, Schedule B, Public Sector Enterprise, set up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, as an Interface Agency to strengthen and empower the emerging Biotech enterprises to undertake strategic research and innovation, addressing nationally relevant product development needs. About Gennova Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., headquartered in Pune, India, is a biotechnology company dedicated to the research and development, production, and commercialization of biotherapeutics (biologics and vaccines) to address life-threatening diseases across various indications. To find out more, visit https://gennova.bio

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has announced that the Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine

Omicron-Specific mRNA-Based Booster Vaccine Developed Using The Indigenous Platform Technology

London: The tragic death of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne last year has been linked to the COVID mRNA vaccine he had some nine months before, according to a top UK-based Indian-origin consulting cardiologist and an Australian doctor.
Postmortem examination of Warne, 52, found coronary atherosclerosis or heart disease, according to cardiologists Dr. Aseem Malhotra and Dr. Chris Neil, who is also the President of the Australian Medical Professionals' Society (AMPS).
According to their findings, people who have already been diagnosed with moderate cardiac disease may experience a rapid acceleration of their condition after receiving a COVID mRNA vaccination.—Inputs from Agence

The tragic death of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne last year has been linked to the COVID mRNA vaccine he had some nine months before, according to a top UK-based Indian-origin consulting cardiologist and an Australian doctor.

Medics fear COVID vaccine link to cricketer Shane Warne’s sudden death

New Delhi (The Hawk): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space and MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh launched the GEMCOVAC® -OM, an Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine. India’s first mRNA vaccine has been developed using the indigenous platform technology by Gennova, with funding support from Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). A few days ago this vaccine got the nod from the office of the Drug Control General of India (DCGI) for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). "I take great pride in DBT fulfilling its mission yet again – enabling technology-driven entrepreneurship through creating this indigenous mRNA-platform technology. We have always supported technology-driven innovation towards the creation of a 'future-ready' technology platform in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmanirbharta,” said Dr Jitendra Singh. GEMCOVAC® -OM is the fifth vaccine developed with support from Mission COVID Suraksha implemented by DBT and BIRAC under Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 package of Govt. of India for accelerated development of Indian COVID-19 vaccines. “Within a year of implementation, the Mission Covid Suraksha demonstrated major achievements, such as (i) Development of the World's first DNA Vaccine for COVID-19, and (ii) Supporting the development of the nation's first mRNA Vaccine and intranasal vaccine candidates and a subunit vaccine against COVID-19,” said Dr Jitendra Singh. The Minister said this 'future-ready' technology platform can be used to make other vaccines in a relatively short developmental timeline. “Steady investments made by the Government of India has created a strong entrepreneurship as well as Startup ecosystem which had actually facilitated our response against the mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic. I congratulate DBT and BIRAC for fulfilling its mission yet again by enabling technology-driven entrepreneurship through creating this indigenous mRNA-platform technology,” he said. GEMCOVAC® -OM is a thermostable vaccine and does not require ultra-cold chain infrastructure used for other approved mRNA- based vaccines. “This innovation makes it easy for last mile deployment in our country. The existing supply chain infrastructure is sufficient to deploy this vaccine,” said Dr Jitendra Singh, adding, “Its unique feature is that this vaccine can be administered without a needle injection.” The GEMCOVAC® -OM vaccine is delivered intra-dermally using a needle-free injection device system and in study participants it generated significantly higher immune responses. The clinical outcome demonstrates the need for variant-specific vaccines for desired immune response. Dr Jitendra Singh said, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, DBT and BIRAC have made strenuous efforts to strengthen the Indian vaccine research and development over the last nine years. A number of key initiatives are currently being implemented to promote basic and translational vaccine research, including the (i) Indo-US Vaccine Action Programme, (ii) National Biopharma Mission, (iii) Ind-CEPI Mission, and (iv) Mission COVID Suraksha, which was launched as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0, with the goal of bringing safe, efficacious, affordable and accessible indigenous COVID 19 vaccines to the citizens of the country at the earliest.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, MoS PMO

Dr Jitendra Launches The GEMCOVAC®—OM, An Omicron-Specific mRNA-Based Booster Vaccine

Stockholm [Sweden]: Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman have been jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their discoveries that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. "The 2023 #NobelPrize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19," The Nobel Prize posted on X on Monday.
"The findings by 2023 #NobelPrize laureates Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman led to the approval of two highly successful mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines in late 2020. The vaccines have saved millions of lives and prevented severe disease in many more," the post added. The Nobel Assembly said the discoveries by the two Nobel Laureates were critical for developing effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 during the pandemic that began in early 2020. “Through their groundbreaking findings, which have fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system, the laureates contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times,” it said.   It said the laureates discovered that base-modified mRNA can be used “to block activation of inflammatory reactions and increase protein production when mRNA is delivered to cells”. The Nobel Assembly said Karikó and Weissman published their results in a seminal 2005 paper that received little attention at the time but laid the foundation for critically important developments that have served humanity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
—ANI

Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman have been jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their discoveries that enabled the development of effective mRNA

Covid vaccine pioneers Katalin Kariko, Drew Weissman awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine

New Delhi: The mRNA vaccine technology against Covid-19, which on Monday received the 2023 Nobel for Medicine was publicly funded and not by pharma giants, said the People's Vaccine Alliance. The People's Vaccine Alliance is a coalition of organisations and activists working together towards equitable access to medical technologies that help to prevent and respond to Covid and future pandemics. Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman were jointly awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against Covid-19", said the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institutet in a statement. Their groundbreaking findings have fundamentally changed the understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system, the Nobel committee said. The umbrella group of NGOs hailed public funding, which it said "delivers incredible medical advances", even as pharma giants refused to share vaccine technology, as well as test kits and other diagnostics to low-income countries during the pandemic. "The award challenges the claim that it was solely big pharmaceutical companies who saved the world from Covid-19," said Mohga Kamal-Yanni, Policy Co-Lead for the People's Vaccine Alliance, in a statement. "Just like the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, Kariko and Weissman's groundbreaking work on mRNA vaccines received a huge amount of public funding." Kamal-Yanni also advised governments preparing for the next pandemic to prioritise on public funding as drugmakers will not share vaccines with the world. "Pharmaceutical companies have refused to share mRNA technologies with developers and researchers in developing countries. Fortunately, Weissman is helping a WHO-backed mRNA programme which aims to develop mRNA technology in lower-income countries, even while pharmaceutical companies refuse to share their know-how," Kamal-Yanni said. "As governments discuss how to prepare for the next pandemic, they should learn from the story of mRNA. Public funding delivers incredible medical advances and that should be a priority for all countries, but pharmaceutical companies cannot be trusted to share technology with the world." —IANS

The mRNA vaccine technology against Covid-19, which on Monday received the 2023 Nobel for Medicine was publicly funded and not by pharma giants

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With mRNA vaccine, India will have flexibility against Covid

Sunil Aswal

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With mRNA vaccine, India will have flexibility against Covid

Sunil Aswal

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