Bharat Biotech's Zika vaccine to enter Phase 2 clinical trials soon

In 2016, Big Pharma companies like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Merck were evaluating developing a Zika vaccine

As Zika virus infections are spreading across India, Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has said its vaccine for it is set to enter Phase 2 human clinical trials soon.

Doctors have pointed out that the lack of diagnostic testing options for Zika infections may leave many cases undetected, and they may pass off as dengue or viral fever because the symptoms are largely similar. Leading private testing laboratories (labs) have told Business Standard they are now gearing up to add the Zika-virus test on the menu.

Bharat Biotech had said in 2016 it had achieved a breakthrough in developing the world’s first promising candidate,