On 26th February 2021, CSIR stated that the process technology developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology for the agonist (binder) molecule is playing a key role in the production of India's indigenous COVID-19 vaccine Bharat Biotech’s ‘Covaxin’.
CSIR said: "The vaccine is formulated with Algel-IMDG, which contains chemisorbed TLR7/8 agonist onto aluminium hydroxide gel to generate the requisite type of immune responses.”
CSIR added: “Owing to the significant role played by TLR7/8 agonist molecule in the performance of a vaccine, CSIR constituent lab, IICT based in Hyderabad was approached by Bharat Biotech to develop the synthetic route for the agonist molecule with indigenous chemicals at an affordable price and with the highest purity. This agonist molecule has aided in scaling up the production of the adjuvant.”
IICT’s Director, Dr Srivari Chandrasekhar and Principal Scientist Raji Reddy lead the project and completed it within four months from its commencement.
Additionally, a CSIR-IICT team piloted by Dr Mohana Krishna Reddy Mudiam, the Senior Principal Scientist and Professor (AcCSIR), played a crucial role in the development of the analytical method for testing TLR7/8 agonist molecule and its method validation procedures through NABL accredited lab.
Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech said: "The process technology developed by CSIR-IICT for the agonist molecule is playing an important role in the production of adjuvant for COVAXIN.”
Shekhar Mande, Director-General of CSIR complimented the team for rising to the occasion in making the process affordable and enabling the development of the molecule in record time. He mentioned this was yet another instance of CSIR’s commitment towards 'Self-reliant India.'
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