The country's first made-in-India coronavirus vaccine may be launched by August 15, with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) fast-tracking efforts to develop "Covaxin" in partnership with Bharat Biotech International Limited.

A dozen institutes have been selected for clinical trials of the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine (BBV152 COVID vaccine), the government's top medical research body has said.

The institutes have been asked by the ICMR to step up clinical trials as it is a "priority project" monitored at the topmost level of the government.

Recently, COVAXIN has been approved for human trials. According to a letter issued by ICMR, enrollment for human trials will start from July 7. After this, if all the trials were correct then it is expected that by August 15, the COVAXIN can be launched. First in the world, Bharat Biotech’s vaccine can come in the market.

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech successfully developed Covaxin in collaboration with the ICMR and National Institute of Virology (NIV). The SARS-CoV-2 strain was isolated in NIV, Pune and transferred to Bharat Biotech.

The Drug Controller General of India- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare had granted permission to initiate Phase I & II Human clinical trials after the company submitted results generated from preclinical studies, demonstrating safety and immune response.