After a successful completion of the phase-1 clinical trials of its H1N1 vaccine, in which the vaccine was found to be safe, effective and well tolerated, the Ahmedabad-based pharma major Zydus Cadila has now commenced the phase-II and III of the clinical trials.

Multicentric trials which will extend for a period of six weeks are currently underway at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Jaipur and Pune. One successful completion of the trials, the group will be submitting the results to the DCGI for marketing approval.

With people continuing to be infected with the H1N1 virus, the speedy launch of the vaccine could provide the much needed preventive therapy against this virulent infection. H1N1 has so far claimed over 1300 lives in the country with the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases crossing the 25,000 mark.