THSTI launches first advanced vaccinology course

THSTI launches first advanced vaccinology course

The translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, an autonomous organisation of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Government of India, has launched the first Advanced Vaccinology course (TIVaC) to provide a comprehensive overview of vaccine development, including antigen design, immune response, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals.

The participants for this course have come from different organizations, including government institutes, research organizations, universities, hospitals, and industries. Inaugurating the session, Prof. Pramod Garg, Executive Director of THSTI, emphasised the role of vaccination in pandemic preparedness.

During the 6-day program, participants will be taken through separate sessions on ‘The biology and immunology of vaccine development’; ‘Pre-clinical research and vaccine development’; ‘Clinical trials (cohort selection, statistical processes)’; ‘Regulatory clearances and procedures’; and ‘Manufacturing and Quality Compliance’.

Other than lectures and group discussions, participants will be given assignments and will be exposed to laboratory and facility visits. They will also be able to have hands-on and wet lab experience based on requests and availability. The course is scheduled to run during 22-27 May at the Faridabad campus of the Institute.

Other than lectures and group discussions, participants will be given assignments and will be exposed to laboratory and facility visits. They will also be able to have hands-on and wet lab experience based on requests and availability. The course is scheduled to run during 22-27 May at the Faridabad campus of the Institute.

According to the THSTI statement, an interactive course like this would help build capacity for vaccine development in the country. As part of IndCEPI (Indian vaccine development aligned with the global initiative of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) of the DBT, it aims to provide a comprehensive overview of all the concepts and steps involved in the design and development of vaccines.

India is the founding member of CEPI. Its engagement with CEPI is vital to ensure self-sufficiency in vaccine development; ensure biological security; maintain the global competitiveness of the Indian vaccine industry; facilitate access to vaccines; and technology through CEPI, even if not developed in India.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the bioassay lab of THSTI was selected as one of the seven centralized network labs in the world to facilitate COVID-19 vaccine development by CEPI. TIVaC aims to provide researchers, government officials involved in policy making, and industrial personnel with a 360-degree overview of vaccine development.