Development of DNA Vaccine against novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-3

Cadila Healthcare developed DNA vaccine candidate ZyCoV-D, comprising of a DNA plasmid vector carrying the gene encoding the spike S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Once the plasmid construct with S gene is injected in human it will enter host cell, and using the host cell's metabolic machinery, it expresses the Spike protein in the body and induces humoral immune response along with cellular immune response, which is vital in viral clearance and offer protection from COVID-19. The vaccine has successfully completed, Phase I/II clinical study demonstrating good safety and immunogenicity. The vaccine has entered into phase-3 clinical trial for evaluating efficacy in Indian population.