Moneycontrol PRO
HomeNewsBusinessCompaniesZydus’ COVID-19 vaccine shows 66.6% efficacy in Phase-3 interim analysis, company files for emergency use

Zydus’ COVID-19 vaccine shows 66.6% efficacy in Phase-3 interim analysis, company files for emergency use

No moderate case of COVID-19 disease was observed in the vaccine arm post administration of the third dose suggesting 100% efficacy for moderate disease. No severe cases or deaths due to COVID-19 occurred in the vaccine arm after administration of the second dose of the vaccine.

July 01, 2021 / 09:27 IST
Zydus said the study also shows that ZyCoV-D is safe for children in the age group of 12 to 18 years
     
     
    26 Aug, 2025 12:21
    Volume
    Todays L/H
    More

    Cadila Healthcare (Zydus Cadila) said its COVID-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D demonstrated 66.6 percent efficacy against symptomatic RT-PCR positive cases in the interim analysis. The company has filed application with the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking emergency use authorisation (EUA) of ZyCoV-D

    Zydus Cadila said the world's first Plasmid DNA vaccine for COVID-19 demonstrated safety and efficacy in the interim data of the largest vaccine trial so far in India for COVID-19.

    "The primary efficacy of the three doses vaccine was at 66.6 percent for symptomatic RT-PCR positive cases in the interim analysis," the company said.

    "Whereas no moderate case of COVID-19 disease was observed in the vaccine arm post administration of the third dose suggesting 100 percent efficacy for moderate disease," it added.

    Zydus said it has found no severe cases or deaths due to COVID-19 occurred in the vaccine arm after administration of the second dose of the vaccine.

    COVID-19 Vaccine

    Frequently Asked Questions

    View more
    How does a vaccine work?

    A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine.

    How many types of vaccines are there?

    There are broadly four types of vaccine — one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine.

    What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind?

    Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time.

    View more
    Show

    ZyCoV-D already exhibited a robust immunogenicity and tolerability and safety profile in the adaptive Phase I/II clinical trials carried out earlier. Both the Phase I/II and Phase III clinical trials have been monitored by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), the company said.

    The Phase-3 clinical trials were carried out involving over 28,000 volunteers in more than 50 clinical sites spread across the country and during the peak of the second wave of COVID-19 reaffirming the vaccine’s efficacy against the new mutant strains, especially the delta variant.

    The company said the study also shows that ZyCoV-D is safe for children in the age group of 12 to 18 years

    The vaccine is delivered through a needle free applicator called the PharmaJet to ensure painless intradermal vaccine delivery.

    Zydus Cadila said it plans to manufacture 10-12 crore doses annually.

    “This breakthrough marks a key milestone in scientific innovation and advancement in technology. As the first ever plasmid DNA vaccine for human use, ZyCoV-D has proven its safety and efficacy profile in our fight against COVID-19," said Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Cadila Healthcare.

    Evaluating two dose regimen

    Zydus said it has also evaluated a two dose regimen for ZyCoV-D
    vaccine using a 3 mg dose per visit and the immunogenicity results had been found to be equivalent to the current three dose regimen.

    This will further help in reducing the full course duration of vaccination while maintaining the high safety profile of the vaccine in the future.

    Viswanath Pilla
    Viswanath Pilla is a business journalist with 14 years of reporting experience. Based in Mumbai, Pilla covers pharma, healthcare and infrastructure sectors for Moneycontrol.
    first published: Jul 1, 2021 08:08 am

    Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

    Subscribe to Tech Newsletters

    • On Saturdays

      Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.

    • Daily-Weekdays

      Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.

    Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347