ICMR and Indian Immunologicals begin Phase I human trial of an improved Kyasanur Forest Disease vaccine
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on 7 February 2026 that a Phase I human trial of an improved, indigenous Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) vaccine has begun after CDSCO approval.
Summary
The Indian Council of Medical Research said on 7 February 2026 that it is progressing towards an improved vaccine against Kyasanur Forest Disease, a regional infectious disease of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra. ICMR took up the work at the request of the Karnataka government. Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) and ICMR–National Institute of Virology (NIV) are jointly developing a fully indigenous two-dose adjuvanted inactivated vaccine, with doses 28 days apart. Animal challenge and toxicity studies are complete, GLP-grade material has been made, and a Phase I human trial has begun after approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
Key facts
- Announced
- 7 February 2026
- Developers
- Indian Immunologicals Ltd and ICMR–NIV
- Vaccine
- Indigenous, two-dose, adjuvanted, inactivated; doses 28 days apart
- Stage
- Phase I human trial after CDSCO approval
- KFD region
- Western Ghats — Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Kyasanur Forest Disease, for which ICMR announced progress on an improved vaccine on 7 February 2026, is a regional disease mainly of the:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Western Ghats
ICMR describes KFD as an important regional infectious disease in the Western Ghats region.
The improved Kyasanur Forest Disease vaccine is being developed by ICMR–NIV together with:
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Correct answer: D — Indian Immunologicals Limited
Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) and ICMR–NIV are jointly developing the two-dose adjuvanted inactivated vaccine.