The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech International Limited have partnered to develop a fully indigenous vaccine for COVID-19. The vaccine will be developed using the virus strain which has been isolated at ICMR's National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.

On May 9, 2020, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) joined hands to develop a vaccine for treating coronavirus using the virus strain isolated at ICMR's NIV, Pune.

A strain of COVID-19 has been transferred from NIV to Bharat Biotech International Ltd. (BBIL). National Institute of Virology will provide support to BBIL for vaccine development. ICMR and BBIL will seek fast-track approvals to expedite vaccine development, subsequent animal studies and clinical evaluation of the candidate vaccine.

ICMR and Bharat Biotech will seek fast-track approval to expedite vaccine development, subsequent animal studies and clinical evaluation of the vaccine. 

The vaccine will be developed using the virus strain which has been isolated at ICMR's National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.