Physician-scientists of the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune met to gear up for a response. Laboratory scientists started work on molecular tests for the detection of viruses at the National Influenza Centre (NIC) at NIV.
We set up two labs: National Influenza Centre which received specimens and started doing the testing, and another lab, kept blinded from these results and did another test for the same samples.
Establishment of molecular diagnostics for COVID-19:
First positive cases reported in India – 30 January 2020
Reagents and SOPs sent to 13 VRDLs – The first week of February
In-house positive controls developed and dispatched – 16 February 2020
Progress to today: Capacity building -> 107 labs and 60-70% of Government labs currently with >57 lakh reagents distributed to government laboratories with WHO Global External Quality Assurance System QC/QA.
Complete characterisation of the virus
The First Microscopy Image of the Novel Coronavirus was released on 30 March 2020
First genome sequencing of the first two SARS-COV-2 from India – 6 March 2020
First isolation of SARS-COV-2 from clinical samples in India with Immuno-fluorescence, TEM imaging, and Phylogenetic Tree Assessment – 9 March 2020
Adjuvant – IMDG chemisorbed onto Algel
Algel leads to a Th2 response-humoral immunity (antibody response)
Algel + IMDG leads to additional Th1 response with both antibody and cell-mediated response
Safety and Immunogenicity were tested in small animal models:
Three animal models: rats, mice and rabbits
Robust neutralising antibody response was elicited with Th-1 T cell response demonstrated
This was followed by a Hamster Challenge, where a virus challenge was provided on the 50th day, followed by the observation of the following parameters:
Anti-SARS-CoV IgG response
Wild type neutralisation
Upper respiratory protection – nasal wash and throat swab
Lower respiratory protection – Lungs gRNA and Trachea gRNA