Lok Sabha Question No. 2290 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-10
Subject: Research by ICMR on Pandemic Diseases
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESEARCH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2290 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2021

## RESEARCH BY ICMR ON PANDEMIC DISEASES

## 2290. SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a)  the  details  of  research  carried  out  and  funds  utilized  so  far  by  the  Indian  Council  of  Medical Research(ICMR) on pandemic diseases such as COVID-19;

- (b) the number of medicinal formulations developed and patents obtained as on date; and

(c)  the  details  of  financial  and  socio-economic  benefits  derived  by  ICMR  and  the  country  from  such research?

## ANSWER

## THE HON'BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR

(a) to (c): The major research activities carried out by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) include development and standardization of testing kits,Nationwide serosurvey to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2,isolation  of  SARS-CoV-2  virus,  COVID-19  Vaccine  trials  and  was  involved  in  WHO solidarity trials to see the efficacy of repurpose drug for their efficacy and use for COVID-19. ICMR also conducted Plasma Therapy trials (PLACID). Based on this research, an advisory and guidelines were issued by the Government for appropriate use of repurpose drugs in COVID-19.Funds amounting to Rs. 1504.29 crore have been utilized by ICMR for related research.

The details of medicinal formulation developed and patents obtained are as follows:

- i. ICMR Institutes have six patents related to various diagnostic kits of COVID-19
- ii. ICMR has also filed a joint patent for monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19 along with Department of Biotechnology -International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (DBT-ICGEB), Delhi.
- iii. ICMR and Bharat Biotech  International  ltd.  (BBIL)  have  made  an  agreement  for  development  of Covaxin.

The details of financial and socio-economic benefits are as follows:

- i. The  indigenous  COVID-19  vaccine,  Covaxin,  developed  by  ICMR  and  BBIL  has  helped  in vaccination  of  crores  of  individuals.  This  exemplary  public  private  partnership  has  helped  in showcasing the strength of Indian science to the entire world. ICMR has been receiving royalty from BBIL in phases.
- ii. The  PLACID  trial  conducted  by ICMR  demonstrated  the  futility of indiscriminate use of convalescent plasma in treatment of COVID-19. This has helped in substantial reduction of the cost of treatment.
- iii. The initiative taken by ICMR/DHR to promote production and validation of indigenous diagnostic kits  for  COVID-19 has helped in drastically  reducing the cost of testing. RTPCR testing has now become very affordable for all citizens of India.
- iv. Strengthening and hand-holding of indigenous manufacturers for production of VTM, swabs, RNA extraction kits, RTPCR and RAT kits has helped in strengthening the capacity of MSMEs in India.
- v. Evidence based advisories issued by ICMR from time to time have helped in rationalizing treatment costs for COVID-19 in India.

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