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COVID-19 SPECIAL ISSUE `120 BI-MONTHLY SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE MARCH - JUNE 2020

• After COVID-19, What? • Race for a Magic Bullet to Beat COVID-19 • ICMR Leads Fight Against COVID-19 • CSIR’s Five-Pronged Strategy to Fight COVID-19 • Evolution of Coronaviruses; History of Pandemics • Interviews: Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, DG, CSIR; Prof. R.K. Dhamija, Lady Hardinge Medical College; and Dr. H. Purushotham, CMD, NRDC

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 1 2 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR Dr. H. Purushotham CHIEF INVENTION N.G. Lakshminarayan

SR. EDITOR INTELLIGENCE Radha Kant Anthwal MARCH - JUNE 2020 VOLUME 55 NUMBER 2-3 ISSN 0970-0056

Sales ARTICLES SR. EXECUTIVE OFFICER 7 After COVID-19, What? Dr. Arvind Dubey Smita Parashar 23 The Global Race for a Magic Bullet to Beat COVID-19 M. Somasekhar m 34 ICMR Leads Fight Against COVID-19 SECTION OFFICER Dr. Rajini Kant and Dr. Enna Dogra Gupta Khem Chand 41 CSIR’s Five-Pronged Strategy to Fight COVID-19 Umashankar Mishra n bimonthly magazine published by NRDC. ‘Invention Intelligence’ is an S&T Ankit Manderna n NRDC is not responsible for the 47 COVID-19 and Artificial Intelligence: The Path Forward statements and opinions of the authors

published in the magazine. 51 Unlocking the Code of COVID-19: Health & Risk Communication expressed in their articles/writeups etc. n Hold the Key Dr. Manoj Kumar Patairiya 70 and Their Invisible World: Some Glimpses Dr. Subodh Mahanti The acceptance of articles/writeups 87 Evolution of Coronaviruses Biman Basu the Sr. Editor, ‘Invention Intelligence’. 81 History of Pandemics Dr. Archita Bhatta would depend entirely on the decision of n If an article received for publication is found plagiarized or translated verbatim 91 Epidemiology, Basic Reproduction Number, and Herd Immunity of SARS-CoV-2 Dr. Arun Pratap Sikarwar from any source it will be straightaway accordingly. It may even lead to 97 The world after COVID-19 Crisis Dr. Meher Wan blacklistingrejected and of the the author author. will be intimated 4 EDITORIAL n To utilise the contents published in 104 A New Scenario in Sports Rakesh Thapliyal ‘Invention Intelligence’ in any form, prior IN CONVERSATION permission of the Sr. Editor is necessary. n It is not necessary that the opinions — Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, DG, CSIR expressed in advertisements published 60 “CSIR fighting unitedly against SARS-CoV-2” in ‘Invention Intelligence’ are in 62 “Combating COVID-19 requires tough regimes of care and treatment” NRDC is not responsible for the claims — Prof. R.K. Dhamija, Lady Hardinge Medical College madeagreement in the withadvertisements. the Editorial opinion. n 66 “COVID-19 has improved the efficiency of National Innovation System” ‘Invention Intelligence’ are to be sent to CROSS-SECTION— Dr. H. Purushotham, CMD, NRDC Thethe Sr. articles/writeups Editor. for publication in n ` 60; 111 Gains of the Lockdown Madan Mohan ` ` 600; Three Susheela Srinivas Subscription` 900. rates: Single Copy: 114 Common Hygiene Products and the Stories Behind Them One year: 300; Two years: years: 120 CopingRESEARCH with Abnormal & DEVELOPMENT Times Dr. Sukanya Datta

126 Quest for the Unknown: Indian Research Labs Team up to Unlock the National Research Development SecretIPR CORNER of SARS-CoV-2 Dr. T.V. Venkateswaran 132 Global Patent Landscape of COVID-19 Technologies Corporation [An enterprise of DSIR, Ministry of 137 20-22, Zamroodpur Community Centre NRDC NEWS Mayuree Sengupta and Dr. H. Purushotham Science & Technology, Govt. of ] Cover Design: Parul Sinha Telephone: 091-011-29240401-07 KailashFax: Colony 091-011-29240409, Extension, New 29240410 Delhi-110048 E-mail: Website: March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 3 CIN: U74899 [email protected] 1987 GOI 002354 http://www.nrdcindia.com EDITORIAL KNOWING ABOUT COVID-19 T he year 2020 started with the COVID-19 global pandemic. We are in the middle of the current year, but even now it cannot be said with certainty when the deadly march of the SARS-CoV-2 will be halted and how long we will have to face the fury of this pandemic. So far, the pandemic has infiltrated into 215 Wecountries are living of the in worldunprecedented leading to troubled over 10 timesmillion and infections our almost and every0.50 million activity deaths. is affected. The COVID-19-

this March-June 2020 combined issue of Invention Intelligence induced lockdown also halted the printing and mailing process of magazines, necessitating publication of . This issue is focused on COVID-19 in which we have tried to cover various aspects of this topic.

At present, we do not have any specific drug or in hand to fight COVID-19. So, no one should take it casually. There should be no relaxation in hand washing, wearing a mask, and other preventive measures. Looking at the developments till now, we can get assured that the day will come when we will celebrate the victory over this pandemic. But by then many things in our society will have possiblechanged postulatesforever or areat least presented for very here. long periods. How this pandemic will change the global scenario in terms of interpersonal relations, social relations, habits, trade, and economy is difficult to guess, but some

drugsThe unfolding and ‘new tonormal’ beat COVID-19 and many are other covered related in thepoints article are ‘Theelaborated Global inRace the for articles a Magic ‘After Bullet COVID-19, to Beat What’, and ‘The World after COVID-19 Crisis’. The intensified efforts across the world on development of Govt. of India and Dr. V. K. Paul, Member NITI Aayog at the National Media Centre on 28 May 2020, on the developmentCOVID-19’ with of indigenousa report on COVID-19the press vaccines.meet of Professor K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Advisor to

On 29 June 2020, Hyderabad-based had announced that their vaccine candidate for COVID-19, , which they have developed in association with the ICMR (Indian Council for Medical developmentResearch), has also been features given inapproval this issue. by CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) for Phase I and II human clinical trials that are scheduled to start across the country in July. This new Indian An article, ‘ICMR Leads Fight Against COVID-19’, highlights the role of ICMR — the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research — and its response to implement

scientific interventions to combat the pandemic. Five technology verticals set up by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for addressing the emerging situation are described in the article ‘CSIR’s Five-Pronged Strategy to Fight COVID-19’. The article, ‘Unlocking the Code of COVID-19: Health & Risk Communication Hold the Key’, gives details of the National Health & Risk Communication Programme — Year of Awareness on Science & Health (YASH), which has been initiated by the National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India to combat such risks and mitigate the crises with the help of public awareness and preparedness.

The Indian Government has launched an AI portal (https://indiaai.in/),where all the recent AI-related developments will be shared among the citizens of the country. This development has given a boost to AI enthusiasts, which will eventually help in strengthening the research activity in this field. The importance 4 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 of AI in healthcare, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,

is described in the article ‘COVID-19 and Artificial Intelligence:Viruses Theand Pathalmost Forward’. all the important aspects of SARS-CoV-2, including the natural origin of SARS-CoV-2, are discussed in the articles

Glimpses’; ‘Evolution of Coronaviruses’; and ‘Epidemiology,‘Viruses and TheirBasic InvisibleReproduction World: Number, Some

inand the Herd study Immunity of pandemics, of SARS-CoV-2’. the mechanism The article of their‘History occurrence, of Pandemics’ the application chronicles of the molecular progress genetics leading to better understanding of immunology, and genomics-accelerated vaccinology.

Invention Intelligence, Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, DG, CSIR, speaks about the multifarious talksIn conversation about his initiativewith to bring out the Compendium of Indian Technologies for Combating COVID-19, a ways in which CSIR is contributing to the fight against the SARS-CoV-2; Dr. Purushotham, CMD, NRDC, Prof. Rajinder Kumar Dhamija, a prominent neurologist, currently heading the Department of Neurology compilation of COVID-19 related technologies, and other issues related with the current pandemic; and related to COVID-19. at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, talks about the neurological and various other health aspects

COVID-19 pandemic has led to either cancellation or postponement of domestic and international The year 2020 will also go down in the history of world sports as a year of the unprecedented. The championships as well as training sessions all over the world, including the biggest sporting extravaganza — the Tokyo Olympics 2020. In this issue, an article, titled ‘A New Scenario in Sports’, gives a glimpse of the world of sports in the new scenario. In the ‘Cross-Section’ column, we discuss gains of lockdowns and common hygiene products, which have become important tools to fight SARS-CoV-2, as also the stories behind these products, and how to cope with the abnormal times.

In the ‘IPR Corner’, patent issues related with the COVID-19 technologies are discussed. Recently, a patent application has been filed for the NavRakshak PPE by the inventors through NRDC. The manufacturing know-how of NavRakshak PPE has been developed at the Innovation Cell of the Institute of Naval Medicine, INHS Asvini Hospital (Mumbai) of the Indian Navy, and is assigned to NRDC for commercialisation. It is cost-effective as it does not require any major capital investment and can be adopted even by gown kits.manufacturing These six manufacturersunits using basic put stitching together expertise. are planning So far,to massNRDC produce has licensed more thethan manufacturing 10 million PPEs know- per how of NavRakshak PPE Suit to six MSME clients to meet the ongoing countrywide demand of quality PPE year. In ‘NRDC News’ this indigenous development is discussed in detail. byWe NITI will continueAayog; CSIR; to cover DST; different DBT; DRDO; dimensions and some of ourother fight organisations. against COVID-19. In the forthcoming issue, we will highlight the various indigenous technological solutions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic provided — RADHA KANT ANTHWAL

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 5 INVENTION Subscription Form INTELLIGENCE (Bi-Monthly) Business Office: NRDC, 20-22, Zamroodpur Community Centre, Kailash Colony Extension, New Delhi-110048

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6 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 After COVID-19, What? Dr. ARVIND DUBEY

COVID-19 is upon us. Now it is irrelevant to ponder over where it came from, how it was started, whose fault it was, or if it was a natural or created in the laboratory. We have to think over what mistakes we have made in combating this unprecedented pandemic. Whether it was prudent to allow relaxations in a desperate attempt to save the economy and to avoid recession, hunger, looming poverty and sufferings of daily-wage workers and the middle class. Whether it will change our societies and our ways of living radically or everything will eventually return to the normal after the pandemic passes. Whether the virus will ever go away, or we have to learn living with it at least for some years. Let us evaluate what lessons we have learnt from this pandemic.

N an unprecedented recession active cases) and 16,487 deaths obody knew that a time economies would nosedive and four with 549,196 cases (210,935 would come when mankind behind millions of jobless and has to fight a global war against hungrywould loom people. everywhere, leaving while it is registering around a tiny invisible enemy, in which free20,000 of newCOVID-19 cases per active day. Oncases.. 8th they would be helpless and June, New Zealand declared itself havingmiserable. ferocious They have killer to fightatomic it suffering endless agony, unrest, appearing in that country from with soap and sanitiser, despite andBut itloss is happening.of lives by Thethe infectionworld is 16thHowever, June, newand tillcases date started there layers of a cloth, not the super of SARS-CoV-2, a disease called are 22 active cases. China is also weapons at their disposal. Three be the most effective defence 2020), there are 10,182,580 in Beijing after declaring that shieldadvanced and missile staying system, home would the COVID-19. Till date (28th June itfacing has aeffectively new surge controlled of infections the most effective defence strategy. 502,995people infected deaths within 215 SARS-CoV-2 countries. examples have raised a pertinent its killing spree, making us only The(4,165,991 most activeseverely cases) affected with questioninfection mark.in Wuhan. Even Theseif once two a The tiny enemy would keep on countries are USA, Brazil, Russia, country is free from infections India, the UK, Spain, Peru, Chile, caused by coronavirus, has it onkeep their count knees.of the dead.Most It wouldstable Italy and Iran. India is at number bring the so-called superpowers really won the battle?

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 7 SARS-CoV-2-positive primarily investigated the virus’ rate of decay across various healthy and young people, the cases Vs COVID-19 environmental conditions. This virusIt is replicatesnot known quickly why enoughin many to trigger the immune system very difference is same as it is in it records the amount of time suddenly instead of gradually, The two are not the same. The itrate takes is known for 50 asper a centhalf-life, of virus and causing it to go berserk. In CoV-2-positive means that the particles to die. addition to damage caused by virusHIV andhas AIDS.entered Being your SARS-body. Looking at stainless steel as an further open up lung capillaries remain asymptomatic, having no example, the study notes the andthe causevirus, theminflammation to leak more,may problemLater, you at may all. beThere sick iswith merely it or median half-life of SARS-CoV-2 20 per cent chance that it may on that surface is about 13 hours. proceed to the COVID-19 stage, straincausing most fluid organs to quickly in the build body, up includingin the lungs, the cut heart, oxygen and flow, even and the virus. Out of these 20 per forHowever, nearly thethree virus days. did But not it dropdoes result in deaths from pneumonia. cent,which only is the 3 perdisease cent causedmay go byto below the threshold of detection ICU or need ventilators. Usually, second or third day. One has to 4. How is it possible for a the latter 3 per cent are those getnot meana certain it was number infectious of viruses on the healthy person to get very sick to be infected. This means a large from COVID-19? their other chronic illnesses. enough volume of virus particles So,who if are you susceptible find that becauseyou have of need to land on a surface Usually, COVID-19 is most got the infection, don’t take it initially for the surface to remain chronic health problems or of time. The results indicate that dangerous for people with notas a to death get panicky. warrant. It Itis timeis time to aerosolinfectious and for fomite a significant transmission period the virus causes serious illnesses boostto be alert,up your active immunity. and watchful, There of SARS-CoV-2 is plausible till day andadvanced even age.death Yet, in we young have seenand are various means to do it from three, since the virus can remain food to meditation and yoga. viable and detectable in aerosols doeshealthy the people.SARS-CoV-2 When, manage how, Questions which still does not mean it happens. and under what circumstances, remain unanswered for three days. However, plausible organism? 2. What makes the coronavirus to disrupt an otherwise healthy 1. How long does the virus so good at spreading? 5. Can one get re-infected, after survive/remain infective full recovery from SARS-CoV-2? outside the body? Whether the SARS-CoV-2 has The something special in its surface No one is certain about the New England Journal of Medicine, prospects of long-term immunity researchersIn a new research used published a nebuliser in to host cell in an especially strong to imitate a human cough or proteins which enables it to stick months old. But scientists are sneeze droplets propelling as the infection is only few virus-carrying particles into 3.latch, Whatnobody knows.actually drives the air. They discovered that mortality in people infected by immunitysure that COVID-19may be short-lasting patients will as the virus is detectable for up the coronavirus? ithave happens the immunity. in other coronavirusesHowever, this to three hours in aerosols, up causing mild common cold. to four hours on copper, up to Coronaviruses exist in bats as 24 hours on cardboard and up risk factors like smoking and persistent infections. Will this It is not just people with different property carry over to the human- and stainless steel. The study getting infected by SARS-CoV-2. infecting strain of coronavirus? In to two to three days on plastic chronic illnesses who get ill after

8 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 China and South Korea, cases of 6. How is it possible to infect more dangerous. reinfection have been reported. others, when one doesn’t have any symptoms? 7. Will there be a safe and disease, and then tested negative, effective vaccine for the SARS- People who suffered from the Usually, viral diseases are CoV-2 and when? and other symptoms. Scientists contagious only from the moment ended up relapsing with fever they manifest themselves in our Many clinical trials for the SARS- such cases. These cases seem to bodies through symptoms like bedo notexceptions know how rather to account than thefor fever and cough. With COVID-19 They each take different rule. Are these actual reinfections this does not seem to be the case, approaches.CoV-2 vaccine There are isunderway. a good or results of testing errors?

which makes the virus all the chance at least one should work Types of COVID-19 Tests Antibody Test For COVID-19

human body has antibodies for coronavirus. It costs `It 500uses anda few gives drops result of blood in 20-30 to determine minutes. whether Antibodies the take eight days to develop and actually appear. So

in the first week of infection an individual may start showing the symptoms of COVID-19 and start infecting others as well but there is a possibility antibody test will give a false negative. COVID-19 Antibody test NAT and RT-PCR Tests For COVID-19

transcription-polymeraseFor testing the virus, two kindschain ofreaction) tests are test. available Both — NAT (Nucleic Acid Test) and RT-PCR (Reverse costs `2,800 and takes about an hour, RT-PCR costs `tests require a nasal and throat swab. While NAT samples thoroughly. Both tests give positive results from4,500 Day and one. requires Though five NAT to test six hashours been to approvedtest the

RT- PCR test COVID-19.by FDA (Food and Drug Administration), currently, in India, RT-PCR is being followed for the diagnosis of What Is Pooled Testing? It is screening of a pool comprising multiple individual patient samples. If a pool turns out to be negative, all individual samples involved in that particular pool are regarded as negatives. On the other hand, if a pool tests positive, individual testing of samples is done. Taking nasal swab sample for Rt PCR test

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 9 CoV-2) that the virus needs to WHO infectproteins cells (‘S’ and proteins inactivate in SARS-them. They also help clear the virus from the body. A second part The WHO has developed a multinational coalition of vaccine COVID-19 to of the immune response is the scientists defining a Global Target Product Profile (TPP) for 1. Assess the development of the most promising candidate stimulation of lymphocytes, a vaccines. help to produce antibodies. Some type of white blood cells which recognise and kill the cells that 2. development. Map candidate vaccines and their clinical trial worldwide, cells (macrophages) also can publishing a frequently updated “landscape” of vaccines in 3. Rapidly evaluate and screen for the most promising candidate someone has recovered from a are infected with virus. Once vaccines before they are tested in humans. viral infection, the cells of the immune system ‘remember’ 4. Design and coordinate a multiple-site, international the virus, and this results in resistance to a second infection vaccines. randomised controlled trial — “The WHO Solidarity trial” for by the same virus, known as clinical trials and determine harmonised Phase III protocols and length of immunological ‘Immunity’. However, the strength 5. for Prioritise all vaccines which achieving vaccines the should pivotal go trial into stage. Phase II and III virus infections and generally memory varies between different safely and effectively. But all of from SARS-CoV-2 infection. of vaccines is to stimulate an the vaccine candidates are in an wanes as people age. The purpose 9. Can we go back to our usual immune response to infection early experimental phase. It may way of life? by a virus such as SARS-CoV-2, take more than a year to prove resistance to the infection. This months after that to manufacture iswhich done then by exposingbuilds up people specific to andthat distributethey work them. and There another is also 6 Whether we can ever pick up them before the pandemic struck, harmless subcomponents of no guarantee that any of them our lives the way we used to live the virus, typically by injection. These stimulate the immune towill unravel depend the entirely full complexity on whether of 8. What will be the long-term system to develop the antibodies will work at all. thiswe find novel a vaccine. coronavirus. Science Beyondhas yet consequences for those who and lymphocytes that provide survive COVID-19? resistance to infection. seems to many that our lives and the organisationscientific ofcalculations, societies have it Problems in development of already changed forever. Some of the first people vaccine: Understanding more who got the SARS-CoV-2 and recovered have only been well Vaccine for SARS- coronavirus is essential for the about the biology of the new for a few months. So, it is not yet CoV-2 design of an effective vaccine. aclear severe what bout the of long-termCOVID-19 How does a vaccine work: consequences of weathering virus for vaccine is based on coronavirusesTill now our otherknowledge than SARS-about preventing infection. When the CoV-2, especially the SARS might be. Few of the early cases immuneVaccine systemis an isactive exposed way to ofa ain bitChina more show quickly. reduced Only timelung virus, it responds by producing function. They gasp if they walk viruses, etc. For a virus to coronavirus, MERS virus, flu will tell what else, if anything, highly specific antibodies that multiply, it first needs to break may affect people who recover bind with great strength to viral 10 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 into human body cells. SARS outbreak of disease in 2003, Indian COVID-19 Vaccine is doescoronavirus, this by whichhijacking caused docking an Ready for Human Trial of lung and gut cells. These receptorsbays (receptors) are normallyon the outside used based Bharat Biotech had announced that their vaccine candidate Period of uncertainty is finally over. On 29 June 2020, Hyderabad- by an enzyme called ACE2 for COVID-19, COVAXIN , which they have developed in association (angiotensin-converting enzyme forwith Phase ICMR I (Indianand II human Council clinical for Medical trials thatResearch), are scheduled has been to given start CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) approval uses2) which the same helps receptor regulate but bloodbinds across the country in July 2020. The novel coronavirus strain flow through vessels. SARS-CoV-2 It does this using one of its four Research’s National Institute of , Pune, and had been was isolated and characterised at the Indian Council of Medical mainto it withstructural even greaterproteins strength. — the transferred to Bharat Biotech International Limited to develop a out all over its surface. So, the fully indigenous vaccine for COVID-19. Zydus Cadila is working on spike orprotein ‘S’ protein is the whichmain targetsticks Indian Immunologicals, and Mynvax are developing one vaccine two vaccines, Serum Institute, Biological Evans, Bharat Biotech, for vaccine development for each. India has pledged $15 million to the Global Alliance for SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI). Lack of good animal models of vital organs, including the for testing: Good animal the development of a vaccine. lungs, heart, and kidneys. In a models for vaccine development the virus, which can further delay small percentage of those infected Human immune system is very delicately balanced: As part immune response may make an outbreakare not availablein 2003, for scientiststhe new of normal immune responses, importantwith SARS-CoV-2, contribution an overactive to the studiedcoronavirus. mice. Following But mice the do SARS not lymphocytes and other cells late complications of COVID-19. naturally develop pneumonia produce immune signalling chemicals called cytokines. These for certain and is an important So, it is impossible to test coordinate and stimulate immune areaHowever, for research. this is notIt is, known therefore, yet with SARS coronavirus infection. responses. But if these responses essential that vaccines against are excessive, they can cause SARS-CoV-2 stimulate the right developwhether lunga changesvaccine onprotects SARS balance of immune response. For infectionagainst pneumonia.but do not appearHamsters to get sick. Ferrets, and several inflammation, which in extreme monkey species, develop lung cases can result in the shutdown this reason, it will be necessary but not consistently. So, in tests ofdisease early SARSwith vaccinesSARS coronavirus in ferrets and monkeys, several vaccines stimulated antibodies against the spike protein, but they only protected partially against lung disease. The problem can be theoretically partially overcome by using older or genetically modified mice or by modifying March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 11 to undertake careful clinical develop an effective vaccine againstthat it SARS-CoV-2.will not be possible to Ifive trials. in FivePhase vaccine I–II safetycandidates and trials to ensure that new vaccines hadefficacy entered trials; theand secondsix in Phasestage are extremely safe as well as of human safety, dosing, and effective. Activating the wrong Finding a vaccine disease.pathway can increase the amount By mid-June, 194 vaccine II. If proven effective, any of of inflammation and worsen the efficacy evaluation, Phase

candidates were in development, the route to developing vaccines thethese second vaccines half wouldof 2021. likely To with 13 in human testing: two in andBut thesethere areis notypical reason findings to think on studies in human subjects; become widely available by Phase II efficacy and dose-testing COVID-19 vaccine: Substances which are being tried till June 2020* controlledconfirm that trials a vaccine across is differentsafe and effective, we need to run large, Substances which are Total number Number of vaccines populations of patients. This being tried of vaccine in the human trials candidates (194) stage (in phase II) have to go through three clinical means any new vaccine will Non-replicating viral 20 1 phases before being licensed. vector RNA-based 23 1 toOnce start we haveproducing a working millions vaccine — DNA-based 13 1 perhapsin hand, billionscompanies — of willdoses, need in Inactivated virus 9 3 addition to the millions of vaccine 41 5 doses that are already made each Protein subunit 59 1 year for mumps, measles and Undefined substances Replicating 16 0 Virus-like particle 10 0 other illnesses. We will need to Live attenuated virus 3 0 find new ways to rapidly scale up Replicating bacterial 1 0 suggestmanufacturing that mass around immunisation the world. vector isThis unlikely is why for atmost least estimatesa year to *Adapted from Data obtained from WHO, Vaccine centre-London Institute of 18 months. Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Milkene Institute

12 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical trials started in 2020

Vaccine candidate Technology Phase of trial Adverse Location Duration (developer/sponsor) (participants) effects Ad5-nCoV recombinant Phase II Moderate China March Camino, Institute of adenovirus type interventional trial 2020 to Biotechnology of the 5 vector for dosing and side 81% had December Academy of Military overfever, 7 pain,days: 2020 Medical Sciences) fatigue effects (500) mRNA-1273 messenger RNA Phase II dose- pending United States May 2020 Phase I to August Institute of Allergy and evaluate safety, report 2021 (Moderna,Infectious US Diseases, National confirmationtoxicity, and to BARDA) immunogenicity

AZD1222 adenovirus pending United April 2020 (600) vector randomized, placebo- Phase I Kingdom to May AstraZeneca) controlled,Phase I–II,multiple report 2021 (University of Oxford, BNT162 (a1, b1, b2, RNA of four pending Germany April 2020 sites (1000) c2) vaccines, randomized, Phase I United States to May placebo-controlled,Phase I–II report 2021

(BioNTech, Fosun candidate-selection Pharma, Pfizer) dose-finding, vaccine CoronaVac inactivated SARS- pending China April (7600) CoV-2 virus randomized, double- Phase I 2020 to blinded,Phase single-center, I–II report December (Sinovac Biotech) placebo-controlled in 2020 in Phase Xuzhou; May to July Xuzhou (744); 2020 in I–II in Renqiu (422) Renqiu INO-4800 DNA plasmid pending United States April Phase I South Korea 2020 to CEPI, Korea National Phase I–II (40) report November (Inovio Pharmaceuticals, 2020 International Vaccine InstituteInstitute) of Health, unnamed inactivated SARS- China June CoV-2 virus randomized, double- 2020 to Medical Sciences) blinded,Phase single-center, I–II September (Chinese Academy of placebo-controlled in 2021

COVID-19/aAPC lentiviral vector, China March 2020 Sichuan (942) to 2023 Immune Medical Phase I (100) (ShenzhenInstitute) Geno- pathogen-specificpresenting artificialdendritic antigen cells LV-SMENP-DC lentiviral China March 2020 minigene vaccine, to 2023 Immune Medical dendritic cells Phase I (100) (ShenzhenInstitute) Geno- lentiviral vector modified with

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 13 Vaccine candidate Technology Phase of trial Adverse Location Duration (developer/sponsor) (participants) effects unnamed inactivated China April COVID-19 virus 2020 to Biological Products, vero cells) Phase I (288) November (BeijingWuhan InstituteInstitute ofof 2021 Biological Products) ( LNP-nCoVsaRNA messenger RNA Phase I randomized United June 2020 Medical Research Kingdom to July Council Clinical Trials 2021 Unit( at Imperial College) trialand expanded(105), with safety dose escalation study (15) NVX-CoV2373 SARS-CoV-2 Australia May 2020 study (at least 200) Novavax) recombinant to July spike protein Phase I (131) 2021 ( adjuvant nanoparticle with Gam-COVID-Vac Lyo non-replicating Russia June 2020 viral vector to August Institute) Phase I (38) 2020 (Gamaleya Research *Trials highlighted in green are in Phase II, in yellow are either in phase I/II Substances which Phase II: The vaccine is introduced in a large number in natural disease conditions are tried to produce of healthy subjects. During this beforebe shown being to be safesubmitted and effective for COVID-19 vaccine approval and then general production. Researchers and vaccine andstage efficacythe ideal of the administration vaccine along developers are trying various protocolwith the bestis established. dose is determined, Phase IV: Phase 4 trials are viral components, viral proteins, typically monitor stages that subunits, inactivated viruses, The toxicity, collect information continuously live attenuated viruses, and Phase III: immunogenicity, and serious on vaccine usage, adverse effects, different types of virus vectors. side effects are monitored on and long-term immunity. a larger number of subjects. Vaccine testing Vaccine recipients are randomly Compressing the timeline and taking After an initial vaccine has the risk been proposed and animal exactlydivided in lookstwo groups. like Onevaccine group safety tests conducted, there are butreceives does a notplacebo contain (substance vaccine Safety concerns for vulnerable three phases of human testing populations, and manufacturing to move through before mass receives the vaccine candidate. challenges for producing billions manufacturing and distribution Generally,contents) whilethis lastthe phaseother groupalone of doses are compressing can commence. schedules to shorten the months because researchers standard vaccine development Phase I: Vaccine is introduced in a mustcan takerecruit between a large 6 andnumber 12 timeline, to months, for a process small number of healthy subjects. of subjects deemed to be at a typically conducted sequentially Researchers monitor each high risk of contracting the over years. For this developers volunteer’s antibody production and governments are accepting to get an initial understanding of subjects for some time living in disease, and then follow those the vaccine development a high risk of “short-circuiting” the vaccine’s efficacy. the real world. The vaccine must 14 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 process. These include the level of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers. of acceptable toxicity of the receive either the vaccine or determine the efficacy of the of vaccination protection, special In this, healthy volunteers would vaccine. Participants would vaccine (its safety), the duration exposed to the deadly virus to then be followed for two nasal, rather than by injection), a placebo, and then would be weeks to determine if rates of anddelivery emergency systems use (such authorization as oral or COVID-19 disease are lower before formal licensing of

“Human challenge trial”. A tovaccine stop theefficacy pandemic. up to 70 per cent will be acceptable as it is enough Human challenge trials quite unethical and directly out This is one risk which looks

Drugs for COVID-19: Indian Scenario

to reduce mortality in patients receiving respiratory support. For patients on ventilators, it cut the On 16 June the trial group released a statement that (a steroid drug) had been shown

risk of death from 40 per cent to 28 per cent (1 in 8). For patients needing oxygen, it cut the risk of death from 25 per cent to 20 per cent (1 in 5). Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has taken a cautious approach towards the use of Dexamethasone because giving a steroid to hypertensive and diabetic patients can be challenging. India is the biggest manufacturer of Dexamethasone, which is available as a tablet as well as an injection and is very low priced. Fevipiravir for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Ramdesivir is approved for restricted emergency Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved the use of two antiviral drugs Ramdesivir and

use in serious patients while Fevipiravir is approved for use in mild to moderately sick patients and also in those COVID-19 patients who are having other diseases, such as chronic kidney, heart or lung diseasesDrug Controller and/or General diabetes of (co-morbidities), India has given permission which can to affect manufacture the outcome these of drugs. COVID-19 treatment.Pharmaceutical

manufacturingCompany and HeteroRamdesivir Labs inhave the obtained name of theCipremi licence and for Covifor, manufacturing respectively. Ramdesivir The drug while comes Glenmark in 100 milligramPharmaceuticals per 20 hasml injections. been allowed to manufacture Fevipiravir. Cipla and Hetero Lab have started `5,000 to `6,000. Cipla is planning to

The cost of one injection of Hetero Labs’ Covifor will be around launch generic version of the drug, which will be far cheaper. However, the company has not disclosed its price. The required dose of Ramsesivir is one injection twice a Day 1 and one injection twice a day from Day 2 to 10. has launched the drug Fevipiravir with the name Faviflu. dayThe fromdrug Daywill be2 to available 14. The onlyprice on for a 200doctor’s milligram prescription. tablets Theat maximum recommended retail pricedose ofis this`3,500 drug for is a 1,800 strip ofmilligram 34 tablets. (9 tablets) per dose, twice a day, for Day 1, then 800 milligram (4 tablets) per dose, twice a

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 15 Ivermectin and Doxycycline

Ivermectin and Doxycycline, an anti-scabies drug, were tested by Bangladeshi doctors in Bangladesh Medical College Hospital. They claim 100 per cent cure, complete recovery within 4 days, 50 per consideringcent reduction it asin signa successful and symptoms treatment within for threeCOVID days-19. andIvermectin no side effects.inhibits Butreplication the study of sample SARS- size is very small (only 19 patients). However, it needs to undergo systemic trial protocol, before

CoV-2 in monkey kidney cell culture. On 8 May 2020, the Health Department of the Republic of Peru approved Ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19 in humans. On 12 May 2020, a similar approval was made by the Health Department of Bolivia. in the vaccinated group than COVID‑19: candidate drug treatments in Phase III-IV trials in the placebo group. Thus, vaccine evaluation could be Drug candidate Description Trial Expected sponsor(s) results

Remdesivir Antiviral, Gilead, mid-2020 vaccinesconducted could in weeks be made rather available than inhibiting RNA considerablymany months moreand efficaciousquickly. synthesis China, Regardless of the risks of getting WHO***, Antimalarial mid-2020 COVID-19, so far, over 1,200 and people from 44 countries have stoppedHydroxychloroquine due to Antirheumatic ChinaCEPI*, WHO, volunteered to expose themselves multipleor chloroquine side effects) (trial INSERM** to SARS- CoV-2 as part of a Antiviral April 2020 against Fujifilm China vaccine trial on “1 Day Sooner”, a recently launched website. Drugs for COVID-19 Lopinavir/ritonavir Antiviralinfluenza CEPI, mid-2020 As of mid-May 2020, developing Government, (Kaletra) WHO, UK COVID‑19 therapeutic candidates Univ. of Oxford, INSERM multiple included: countries

• Antibodies (61 candidates) ASC-09 + ritonavir Antiviral Ascletis Spring 2020 Pharma China • Antivirals (22 candidates) candidates) Saint Luke's December • Cell-based compounds (15 agent Mid America 2020 Dapagliflozin Hypoglycemia candidates) Institute, • RNA-based compounds (6 AstraZenecaHeart Multiple countries • Scanning compounds to be repurposed (18 candidates) CD24Fc OncoImmune, Anytime in categories, such as anti- drug Inc. USA 2021 • Various other therapy antiviral new interferon, protein-based, antibiotics,inflammatory, and antimalarial,receptor- *International Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, **Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), ***World Health Organisation 16 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 modulating compounds, Immunotherapies under evaluation for COVID-19 among numerous others Immunomodulator/ Mechanism Stage of Organisation development of 293 compounds under IL-1 receptor antagonist Phase 3 development(86 candidates) in May for 2020. a total Biovitrum Anakinra/Swedish Orphan Baricitinib/Lisa Barrett/ TNF inhibitor Phase 3 post-infection therapies, GM-CSF monoclonal Phase 3 By now several potential Hospital of Prato including Favipiravir, Remdesivir, antibody Lenzilumab/Humanigen and Lopinavir used in the Leronlimab/CytoDyn Phase 3 International Solidarity Trial, Gimsilumab Roivant Sciences Phase 1 monoclonal antibody testing — Phase III-IV clinical Otilimab/MorphoSys Monoclonal antibody Yet to start trials.are in the final stage of human Mavrilimumab/ Kiniksa Monoclonal antibody Phase 2 Pharmaceuticals Monoclonal TJ003234/ I-Mab Biopharma Monoclonal antibody Phase 2 antibodies/interferon Co. Ltd. Phase 3 More realistically, antibodies Shandong University factor Bevacizumab/Qilu Hospital of Endothelial growth CD24Fc/OncoImmune, Inc. Recombinant fusion Phase 3 for those at the highest risk, protein will provide the most value Whole antibody Yet to start Medical Eculizumab (Soliris)/Hudson compromised.like healthcare workersMonoclonal or Anti-interferon-gamma Phase 2 people who are old or immuno- Biovitrum Emapalumab/Swedish Orphan Monoclonal antibody Phase 2 (IFNγ) antibody antibodies provide what is Monoclonal antibody Phase 3 Vir Biotechnology, San Meplazumab/Tang-Du Hospital Francisco,known as ‘passivehas immunisation’. isolated Ghent Siltuximab/University Hospital, Monoclonal antibody Phase 3 survived SARS. The company Roche Tocilizumab/Hoffmann-La antibodies from people who Interferon Phase 3 WuXi Biologics to test them National de la Santé et de la RechercheInterferon β1α/InstitutMédicale, France asis workinga treatment with forChinese COVID-19. firm Recombinant human interferon Interferon Early Phase 1 AbCellera has isolated 500 Vancouver biotech firm Phase 3 unique antibodies from a person α2β/Tongji Hospital antibody Sarilumab/Regeneron-Sanofi Human monoclonal and is set to start testing them. Tocilizumab/Genentech- Phase 3 who recovered from COVID-19 antibody After screening 300 antibodies, Human monoclonal Monoclonal antibody for Phase 3 Celltrion of South Korea has Hoffmann-La Roche USA pneumonia Lenzilumab/ Humanigen, Inc. antibodies that could potentially Blood plasma transported throughout the combatidentified the the SARS-CoV-2. 14 most powerful Though these antibodies are very transfers effective, their protection is body. This clear straw-coloured short-lasting and these are very — cells and a liquid part in humanliquid, whichblood makesis called up plasma.largest costly. Our blood has two main parts Whencomponent a pathogen (55 per enters cent) ourof

which these cells float and are March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 17 Herbal drugs for COVID-19 treatment are under clinical trial

In a recent positive development, Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), has started clinical trials for testing formulation of four important Ayurvedic herbs in fighting the novel coronavirus. The medicines under study include ashwagandha, guduchi, yasthimadhu (mulethi), peepli and a formulated drug, ‘Ayush 64’. The trials, which will be done on health workers first, will be conducted in high-risk zones. Reports say that over 50 lakh people from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Pune will be part of the clinical trial. In the first phase, patients are likely to be administered ashwagandha and later, the other drugs will be given to patients, depending on how they react or severity of the symptoms. body, our immune system starts disease-causing agent against there. The administration of antibody may end up suppressing type of antibodies produced are antibodies last long, sometimes the body’s natural immune producing antibodies. The first lifelong.which they The arerecovered formed. patient’s These response, leaving a COVID-19 Usually IgM type of antibodies patient vulnerable to subsequent startIgM (immunoglobulinappearing in the bloodM) type. by re-infection. There is a risk that antibodies, when given to another an inadvertent infection might remain active in the body till the thepatient, second will patient. begin targeting and get transferred to the patient. pathogenthe end of remains first week in the and blood. they fighting the invading pathogen in The most common reactions are Pros and cons: Blood plasma generalised itching and rash, another type of antibody called is easily available and is cheap At the end of second week, and safe. The antibodies are of patients. A fever-like reaction appearing. IgG antibodies are canwhich occur develops in 0.1-1 in 1-3per per cent cent of IgG (immunoglobulin G) starts patients. Transfusion-related highly specific against the virus. tailor-made to attack a specific However, a few risks are also in less than 0.01 per cent of patients.acute lung injury (TRALI) occurs

Status of convalescent plasma therapy in India: On 26th

April, Max Hospital in Saket, New Delhi announced that a COVID-19 patient had shown IgM IgG being administered convalescent “progressive improvement” afterth

plasma therapy. However, on 28 April, the Union Health Ministry 18 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 it one of the many therapies warned against its use and called state governments, including Rajasthan,being explored. Punjab, However, Maharashtra, some for plasma therapy treatment, and Delhi,the Centre have shown has permittedkeenness therapy on a limited number of COVID-19a few states patients. to perform On 13 plasmaMarch, the Indian Council of Medical list of 99 institutes/hospitals to India’sResearch Central (ICMR) Drugs submitted Standard a canControl be conducted.Organisation CDSCO (CDSCO) has where plasma therapy trials subsequently permitted ICMR Nagpur is all geared up to Stem cell therapy to conduct clinical trials of convalescent plasma for the largest plasma therapy trial. In Athersys Inc. in the US began lead ‘Platina Trial’, the world’s treatment of COVID-19 disease. this state-level clinical trial, 500 a phase II/III clinical trial that ICMR has made a protocol for critically ill COVID-19 patients this therapy. The Government treatment could potentially plasma. will examine whether stem cell will be treated with convalescent Medical College and Hospital benefit people with acute Organisations that have formed international alliances to expedite vaccine development

• The World Health Organisation (will raise US$8 billion)

• donated The Coalition US$915 for million Epidemic by earlyPreparedness May. Innovations (CEPI) will raise US$8 billion. The , Canada, , Norway, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands had already

• The Gates Foundation is donating US$250 million • The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) • India pledged $15 million to GAVI • The Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness (GLoPID-R) • The International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium

• biotechnology Pharmaceutical companies, companies national with experience governments, in making and universities vaccines, toincluding accelerate Johnson progression & Johnson, to an effectiveAstraZeneca, vaccine. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Sanofi, and among others, are forming alliances with

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 19 travel restrictions, masks and an

2020.overwhelmed Thereafter healthcare its intensity system will remain with us throughout advent of safe and protective vaccinewill rapidly and decreaseeffective with drugs. the

may continue sporadically for However, coronavirus infection

Scenariofew more years.3: This least likely scenario is really bad. In this

fold under the pressure, the version, most countries would summer, but could start a second virus would not just survive the perhaps even the herd immunity wave during the cold months and Consumption of exotic wildlife created a new interface between humans and unfamiliar organisms mean hundreds of millions of is out the window. That would collapsing healthcare systems, the people getting infected, and with COVID-19.respiratory distressMesoblast which has occurs also Scenariothe worst is2: yet to come. developedin some peoplea potential with stem severe cell appears to be the most likely leaving tens of millions of dead, mortality rate would skyrocket, treatment for Acute Respiratory The second, which as it is happening in Brazil. In trajectory most countries are scenario, could follow the suffer the consequences until a this scenario we would probably Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and reducing social contact vaccine could stop its spread till moderatewhich is a topart severe of COVID-19. ARDS into The a following; enforcing lockdowns the end of 2022. COVID-19 may phasecompany II/III is enrolling clinical peopletrial in with the continue to occur sporadically, United States. adoptedwhile tracking such measures those infected. late or surely not as an epidemic or However, many countries pandemic. How and when will even downplayed the severity Life after COVID-19: COVID-19 end? of the virus. We have seen how What will change? Scenario 1: Stringent and equipmentoverwhelmed healthcareand jam-packed facilities are getting, with lack of proper An unprecedented toll on to curb the spread. With these spread of the contagion in those healthcare workers: measures will be effective countries.wards due Even to the those uncontrolled countries professionals on the frontlines Healthcare pandemic under control and that contained the spread graduallyin place, weresume could bringeconomic the are working under extreme work activity by the end of the year. infections as restrictions are in order to help the infected. conditions and making sacrifices Looking at the situation, this liftingcould tooface early.a second This eventuallywave of Despite a shortage of personal scenario looks quite unlikely for us. Besides, this infection is protective equipment (PPE), they lagging behind in its course in will lead to even more severe of being infected. It is physically show up to work with a high risk our country. We can expect that thelockdowns year 2020.and haveIt means us battle that and mentally draining. with COVID-19 the majority of This will 20 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 lead to an inevitable spike in result in a panic attack. Regaining for at least 20 seconds. Social burnouts among the healthcare trust takes time and these trends distancing measures are in staff. Even before the SARS- place. People are getting used to

will take place for months after millionCoV-2 outbreak, physicians it hadwas symptomsestimated Morelockdowns focus are on lifted. the healthcare otherwearing people. face masksThe wheneverhabit of that nearly half of the world’s 10 system: We can expect to see they go outside or meet with many governments put more Namaste of burnout. Now, after COVID-19, focus on healthcare. They habitsshaking couldhands willlinger be turnedeven after into post-traumaticwe may see greater stress number disorder. of can adopt similar strategies . These newly formed Afterfrontliners this pandemicwith symptoms subsides, of employed by other countries that overall better hygiene. better managed the crisis. lockdowns are lifted, leading to for the aftermath on medical A shift in the medical care: professionalswe will have onto thebrace frontlines. ourselves Surveillance as an ongoing bring measure: healthcare to patients, rather Diminishing trust in the Countries from Germany through Option will develop to globalised world: Israel to Singapore are using able to travel that freely or enjoy phone tracking data to locate and than the other way round. We will not be DevicesTelemedicine like digital will be stethoscopes, used more portableefficiently ECG and monitors more and digitaloften. the supply chains of the world byalert using those CCTV who footagemight be and infected. bank otoscopes may be used at home so easily as we did before the transactionsSouth Korea inwent addition the extra to phone mile and the results shared remotely meetpandemic. someone. We will The think pandemic twice use in its tracing process. This isbefore already going exacerbating somewhere signs or toof could lead to certain governments social anxiety and agoraphobia. to erase a layer of privacy from iswith avoidable doctors. and These also help eliminate reduce Agoraphobia is an anxiety thedoctor-patient risk of cross-contamination. visits whenever it disorder that manifests as a fear of ethicscitizens’ issues. life. ButIt bringsunder thea whole guise Digital solutions: ofnew another dimension major to publicprivacy health and been doing during the pandemic, notsituations be available where if escape something could bad be crisis such measures could As we have difficult, or in which help would become the norm. can include open spaces, public we will continue to experiment transit,were to happen.shopping These centres, situations or Brand-new hygienic habits educationwith digital for studentssolutions, or virtualbe it simply being outside the home. eventsvirtual meetingsinstead forof work, in-person digital Being in these situations may : conferences. These proved not Health authorities are advocating regular handwashing with soap March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 21 only to be effective but also an Encephalitis in 1986, the Avian

Weenvironmentally are not saying friendly everything way tois influ in2014. 1997, Allthe SARSthese in outbreaks 2002, the Swine Flu in 2009, and the goingoperate to inbe adigital, connected but it makesworld. sense to make digital anything remind us that we live in a habitat socialwhere life,it is andnecessary the environment to respect life, if possible. the relationship between animal, that is not more efficient in real to survive and thrive. Rapid urbanisation and our incursion Work places and into forest lands have created a offices will change tonew unfamiliar interface betweenorganisms humans often involvingand wildlife the and consumptionexposed humans of • Work from home: When the part of ongoing learning. In- pandemic subsides, work from person learning programmes nature is sending us a message home will remain popular exotic wildlife. With COVID-19, with professionals, and that reserved for certain functions won’t go away, but they’ll be that we need to recognise the biggestwill force proponents companies, of havingeven animals, including pets, livestock, those that were not the the company. interrelationship between and certain populations within a virtual workforce, to become • Business attire is retiring: professionalsand wildlife. The transdisciplinaryfrom many ‘OneHealth’ approach involving more flexible. Yet we won’t see Working from home, it is disciplines such as medicine, a wholesale move to remote unlikely that you put on a suit veterinary, environmental health, more freedom to choose and social sciences has been working. People will be given or heels. • Video virtuosos: Video is outbreaks. The global experience • Work-ready homes: Many working from home. at the heart of many of the isadvocated teaching to us limit that new containment infectious changes above. The developers measures and aggressive contract from home a challenge not professionals found working behind , WebEx, tracing are mandatory to keep the because of isolation, but infection under control until an because they did not have video communications tools approved treatment or a vaccine is the ideal space or a dedicated Hangouts, Skype, and other available to the global community. home experiment possible. The implementation and a Zoom-ready spot for video made the grand work from home office. They did not have meetings. One of the biggest Fading lines: As supervisors collaborations on a global scale challenges people experienced, and staffers have gotten used aredevelopment critical in reducingof the OneHealththe threat • to seeing each other in their of emerging viruses. internet performance. So, the natural habitats, the line while working from home, was

internet in homes will improve, that separates work life and drastically and quickly. Home personal life will fade. offices and even home video Lessons learnt Dr Arvind Dubey MBBS, DCH (Goldmedalist), MD • studios E-learning will becomefor everyone:a priority. COVID-19 has emerged as an (Pediatrics), FICMCH Many corporate learning unforgettable public health Professor programmes involved in- Department of Pediatrics to the list of previous epidemic Hind Institute of Medical Sciences seminars. But post-COVID-19, infectiousthreat around disease the world. outbreaks, It adds Ataria, Sitapur (Uttar Pardesh) person workshops and including Bovine Spongiform E-mail: [email protected]

e-learning will become a bigger 22 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 The Global Race for a Magic Bullet to Beat COVID-19 M. SOMASEKHAR

The search for the ‘Holy Grail’ to halt the pandemic in its tracks has intensified across the world, with big pharmaceutical companies, vaccine makers, research institutes, universities and even some startups throwing in their hat. The winner, or the first to find an effective vaccine/drug or a ‘cocktail of drugs’, willnot just make billions but also perhaps etch its name into history. More than 120 focused efforts have been termed as promising in this pursuit. Will the preventive weapon (vaccine) be ready by end of 2020 or 2021, or never? Meanwhile, drugs like Remdesivir, Hydroxychloroquine, Dexamethasone, etc., have been showing exciting results in some trials. Any which way, as the coronavirus reaches every nation and the cases head to 10 million, the excitement and fear continue. The whole world waits with ‘hope and bated breath’ for a desperate relief.

he race to develop an Teffective vaccine/drug to prevent/cure people from mutatingdown, but into menacingly multiple advancing different TheFirst coronavirusWorld War (1914-18).outbreak in the COVID-19 is perhaps the hottest andin some distinctive counties strains. with the virus Chinese city of Wuhan sometime and most challenging in modern Perhaps never in recent history as COVID-19, and its rapid spread are not just a blockbuster but has the human race been in December 2019, now known historymedical inhistory. the making The forrewards saving engaged in only one topic — millions of lives. The response a great majority of human coronavirus, its varied impact on to the entire world, poses risk to population. COVID-19 has in less human life and different facets of pandemic has led to consorted than 6 months affected virtually globaland desperation efforts across to thefight biotech the industry, both by pharmaceutical the economy. In some ways, the companies and research every nation in the world and pandemic will shape the future of organisations, to facilitate the pandemic shows no signs of Thethe world1918 post Flu 2020. Pandemic that development of a vaccine against Beginning,slowing down. January 2020, the ravaged the human population COVID-19. At least 194 potential candidates are under various virtual grinding halt. Country an estimated 50 million, stages of development. afterworld countryeconomy hashas comegone tointo a predominantlyfor about two in Europeyears, andkilled the developed nations of those times. A striking feature of the vaccine development landscape for lockdown. The novel coronavirus is not showing signs of slowing The toll was far more than the March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 23 COVID-19 is the range of mood is not all that very rosy technology platforms being university and industry have evaluated, including nucleic claimedcollaborative to have ventures taken potentialbetween from virologists and those who vaccine/drug to the human have long experience in working inactivatedacid (DNA virusand RNA),approaches. virus-like vaccinein the field. for They decades cite theand example SARS, potential candidates have particle, live weakened virus, and of HIV/AIDS, which has eluded a trials state, while over 194 The Coalition for Epidemic strong buzz in the air is that by neverwhere itrealised. took a long According time to come to been identified so far. The formed by World Economic Dr.close Peter to making Piot, the one co-discoverer real but was in the market. Among the front- ForumPreparedness 2017 Innovationsin Davos (CEPI)noted of the Ebola virus in 1976, “A September, at least one will be that many of these platforms vaccine or a drug, at the best of its promising Remdesivir; the are not currently the basis for rapid progress is more than a Oxfordrunners University are Gilead Consortia Inc. withof 7, licensed vaccines, but experience

encouraging developers to exploit year away and it needs validation thewhich Germanincludes Serumpharmaceutical Institute thein the opportunities fields such as thatoncology next- is too, a tough calling”. company,of India; Pfizer Moderna Inc and BioNTech,Inc. and generation approaches offer for search for the ‘magic potion’ that increased speed of development. Where do we stand in our Inovio and the Chinese Institute. even after billions of dollars go TheLonza, Oxford the SwissUniversity major; candidate CasIno, While global corporates and intowill stopthe racethe virusand instocks its trackand has been fast tracked to human research teams are upbeat about valuations of some companies trials. India’s vaccine major

vaccine by the end of 2020, the date at least a dozen companies or plans to start production of the coming up with a definitive fluctuate on the bourses? As on (SII)

24 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 COVID-19 vaccine and bring it to the market by the end of 2020 if the human clinical trials are successful.

According to the Chief Executive

Officer, A. Poonawala, the Plansinstitute are is toworking produce closely 5 million with Dr. Hill from Oxford University. bedoses scaled per up month to 10 millionfor the doses first persix months,month. Theafter Jenner which, Institute it is to and Oxford Vaccine Group have developed the candidate nCoV-19. The researchers vaccine, which they call ChAdOx1 chimpanzee adenovirus as utilised weakened version of The Remdesivir severe novel coronavirus disease, genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 developed by Gilead Sciences, Inc. spikevector protein.and injected According it with to the is considered the front-runner requireespecially mechanicalthose with lowbreathing blood causes common cold. After a treatment for the novel supportoxygen levelslike ventilators. or the ones who vaccination,scientific literature, the SARS-CoV-2adenovirus coronavirus.in the race Thetoward US company developing has surface spike protein is produced recently claimed success in curing some coronavirus patients. Going theThough time theof recoverydrug has in shownsome immune system to attack the by these reports, the US Food COVID-19significant patients, results inthe shortening safety and virus,in the the body, researchers which explain.alerts the effectiveness is still questionable, an emergency use authorisation Vaccines made from the ChAdOx1 to& DrugRemdesivir Administration for COVID-19 granted unavailability of adequate, virus have been given to more treatment in early May 2020. approved,argue some scientists.or alternative However, than 320 people to date and treatments, gives the FDA reasons it has had its share of setbacks to believe that Remdesivir may Remdesivir is not a new drug and be effective, others argue. causehave been temporary shown toside be safeeffects, and suchwell tolerated,as a temperature, although headache, they can to treat Ebola, but studies in too. It was originally designed Gilead is constantly running or sore arm. clinical trials to generate more against coronaviruses like SARS andthe MERS,lab showed so researchers it also beganacted University of Oxford has been Remdesivir. So far, the company exploring its potential for treating hasdata donated on the safety1.5 million and efficacyindividual of doses for treating more than working for over a decade on East Respiratory Syndrome) 140,000 COVID-19 patients in a vaccines on MERS (Middle COVID-19 when the pandemic and Severe Acute Respiratory 10-day administered treatment replicatebegan. It quickly.works byThe interfering company with the ability of the virus to course. classSyndrome of coronaviruses. (SARS) — diseases The Beijing Advaccine which are caused by the same has stated that it will be used in treating adults and children with

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 25 Advaccine. Results from the clinical making a person sick. trials are expected SARS-CoV-2 without actually to be available in Because the virus typically September 2020. uses its spike protein as a key to unlock and take over lung The Chinese cells, the vaccine could train biopharmaceutical a healthy immune system to company, Sinovac, is also doing an infection. The technology phase-I and phase- alsoproduce has theantibodies advantage to fightof being off II trials of its faster to produce, and tends to COVID-19 vaccine. be more stable than traditional The company said it is in discussion virus strains. The duo has stated vaccines, which use weakened other countries andwith regulatorsthe World in theirthat thevaccine first batch candidate, of 12 humancalled BNT162,volunteers in were Germany injected in Aprilwith

phase-3Health Organisation clinical expand to 200 participants. trials(WHO) into regionslaunch 2020. The trial will eventually The US-based Moderna is CoV-2 is still perhaps leading the pack in where the SARS- Biotechnology is collaborating spreading rapidly. tapping RNA to come up with a Pharmaceuticals — to accelerate mRNA based Vaccine Research Centre, a unit of with the US based Inovio thevaccine. National In partnership Institute of with Allergy the the development of the former’s vaccines vaccine, INO-4800 as a novel coronavirus vaccine. The it has developed a vaccine that and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), company has started pre-clinical New York-based pharma testing for clinical product pharmaceutical company giant Pfizer Inc. and German targets the spike (S) protein manufacturing. BioNTech announced that their potential candidate vaccine byusing FDA the for mRNA Phase-II route. study. The first Inovio has also prepared is into human trials in the batch of vaccines is now cleared 3,000 doses for human clinical United States since early May Moderna, the clinical stage trials planned to be conducted 2020. If the tests are successful, biotechnology company, across the US, China, and South it could be ready for emergency Korea. Plans for large-scale use as early as September experimental domain of mRNA- manufacturing have also been 2020. The vaccine is based basedis working vaccines. in theIn theory,largely developed. mRNA-based treatments

theon geneticinstructions material for knowncells asto makemessenger proteins. RNA, Bywhich injecting carries a counterparts.work faster Whileand show DNA isgreater found Human clinical trials in 30 specially designed messenger onlyefficacy in thethan nucleus their ofDNA-based the cell, Southhealthy Korea. volunteers A phase-I will be startedclinical RNA into the body, the vaccine mRNA can be found more or less trialin the is US, planned followed to beby China,conducted and in parallel in China, by Beijing to make the spike protein of the access and target. could potentially tell cells how everywhere, making it easier to

26 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Moderna has a pretty large Sunit K. Singh, a pipeline of early stage mRNA vaccines, but its coronavirus vaccine, mRNA-1273, hit virologist with the RepurposingBanaras Hindu existingUniversity medicines (BHU). headlines for just how quickly it focussed on was completed after the virus’s genetic sequence was released. In targets is likely to initialless than vaccine, two months, a creditableModerna offerknown a more rapiddrug achievementresearchers cameby modernup with drug an hope of tackling development standards. COVID-19 than developing and To fast-track the trial phase manufacturing a and gear up for commercial vaccine, argues an market, Moderna has raised international team funds, including the grant of scientists in a of $483 million from the recent article in Biomedical Advanced Research the British Journal and Development Authority of Pharmacology. the company CEO, Stephane A team of Bancel,(BARDA) said. of the The US company government, has researchers also entered into a strategic representing the International Union of Basic and Clinical vaccine, drugs currently being used“While to treatwe’re other waiting illnesses for cana collaboration with Lonza Ltd., the one billion doses of mRNA-1273 be no ‘magic bullet’ to treat be investigated as treatments perSwiss year. major “We to manufacture are accelerating up to COVID-19Pharmacology and theysay thereargue thatwill manufacturing scale-up and our a multi-pronged approach is Alexanderfor COVID-19 from — the in Universityother words of a position to make and distribute caution that an effective and Nottingham.repurposed”, said Dr. Steve aspartnership many vaccine with dosesLonza ofputs mRNA- us in scalableneeded tovaccine find new is drugs. likely They to 1273 as possible, should it prove take over a year before it can “There’s unlikely to be a single be used to tackle the global stated. pandemic. need several drugs in our to be safe and effective”, the CEO magic bullet — we will probably Hope from need to focus on the three key Thearmoury, important some thingthat willis that need these be repurposing of drugs “Any drug to treat COVID-19 will drugsused in are combination cheaper withto produce others. the virus entering our cells and easier to manufacture. That medical emergency, repurposing stages of infection: preventing In the wake of the looming replicating if it gets inside the affordable drugs across the globe, been one area of research in cells,in the and first reducing place, thestopping damage it way, we can ensure access to recentof existing past, isdrugs, getting which a booster has that occurs to our tissues, in this dose. The main advantage is Thenot justteam for wealthier estimates nations”. there that developers can get a lead Professor Anthony Davenport of are currently more than 300 case, the lungs and heart,” said time in accelerated development the University of Cambridge, one clinical trials taking place of potential cures explains,

of the authors of the review. worldwide, though many of these March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 27 “30 groups in India trying to develop COVID-19 vaccines” — Prof. K. VijayRaghavan

immunity against the virus. it available globally. Over the against the COVID-19 pandemic Another is a standard vaccine, in India is fighting hard on all fronts manufacturers have been individuals trying to develop virus is used. The third one uses last few years, Indian vaccine vaccines,with big industries drugs, andand academictesting awhich protein a weakened coding regionversion ofof the virus attached to the backbone foreigninvolved companies. in their own R&D work unprecedented health menace. of another virus. In the fourth and collaborating with other technologies to deal with this kind of vaccine, a virus protein is K. VijayRaghavan, Principal developed in the lab and is used that the vaccine being evolved by This was stated by Professor Prof. VijayRaghavan also specified India, and Dr. V. K. Paul, Member, is in progress to develop all the NITIScientific Aayog, Advisor at a press to meet Govt. on 28of fourwith kindsanother of vaccines. stimulant. Work inway late of viruspre-clinical protein trial development stage and May 2020 at the National Media on the backbone of flu vaccine, is “India has played a very important over by the month of October. A role in providing vaccines and protein-basedquite likely the vaccine trials wouldpossibly be ElaboratingCentre, New Delhi.on the four types of vaccines under development, Out of the three vaccines used Similarly, some of the startups togeneric inoculate medicines children to the globally, world. will be ready by February 2021. of Science, Bengaluru have asProf. mRNA, VijayRaghavan a component said of the genetic first he added. Whoever succeeds startedassociated vaccine with Indian development Institute materialkind of vaccine, of the virus,which is is injected known intwo making are manufactured COVID-19 invaccines, India,” into the body. Our body translates India is going to play a vital role it into and develops in providing logistics to make outsideworking agencies. in collaboration with several scientific institutions and

Professor K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Advisor to Dr. V. K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog Govt. of India

28 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 infection. The second is the the virus. Prof. VijayRaghavan phytopharmaceutical approach also mentioned that due to joint takesHe reiterated nearly 10-15 that yearsnormally, and costsvaccine around development 20 million dollarswork plants are being tested. In for testing the virus and test or more, but in the current addition,where extracts All India from Councilmedicinal of kitsresearch are aboutefforts, to new roll techniquesout. ICMR situation, every country in the and the laboratories under and CSIR have embarked on a Department of Biotechnology for COVID-19 in a year’s time. So, drugTechnical discovery Education hackathon (AICTE) to parallelworld is processingaiming to findis needed a vaccine to students are being trained about forhave antibodies developed in a newthe protocolserum. The for computationalfight against COVID-19drug discovery. where rapida serological progress test became which willpossible look achieve the goal, and that is why, They get access to high end because of great cooperative instead of working only on one computational tools to design COVID-19 vaccine, the world is drugs. research institutions and other outworking by him on overthat once100 vaccinesdeveloped at agencies.efforts by theAbove scientists, all, the scientific quality the same time. It was also pointed and regulations have not been hopeful that any drug designed compromised or overlooked in logisticalthe worldwide challenge. distribution of an Prof. VijayRaghavan was quite reaching near to the objectives in effective vaccine will be a major reach the human testing stage a very short time. Deliberating upon the matter of inwith next the sixcollective months. efforts According would drug development, he said it is to him, India is currently Earlier, initiating the address Dr. equally challenging as vaccine testing the action of several development. The drug attacks drugs on COVID-19 patients as battle against the COVID-19 the virus chemically inside the possible treatment, including Paul emphasised that the final infected body. As the virus uses our body machinery to replicate, and Remdesivir, in addition to thewould help be offought vaccines, through drugs science and the drug has to be designed plasmaHydroxychloroquine, therapy and theAvidal, BCG testing.and technology If one andgets won infected with vaccine. According to him, a plant that it attacks the virus only derivative called ACQS is also andvery doescautiously not harm in such any aof waythe being tested by the researchers with SARS-CoV-2, medicines human organs. And it is even a at the CSIR laboratories. Another diagnosiswill cure himof the or disease her. Treatment through more challenging task to make group from the same institution would be possible after early the virus in the initial stage institutionsrapid testing. and He saidthe country’sthat “We ofa druginfection which as is effectivelesser doses against of Allis workingthese efforts on establishing are in various the stronghave a pharmacysolid base industryof scientific is medicine are needed to control stages.efficacy of Mycobacterium w. the virus in the early stages. and medicines throughout the Genome sequencing of SARS- well known. We supply vaccines There are three approaches CoV-2 has been done in several our pharmacy industry is going in drug discovery that are Indian laboratories, but no toworld, play and an we important are quite surerole that in providing vaccines and medicines repurposing of existing drugs being followed. The first is appearabnormal because mutation of was change observed of (Translated by Pramod Pande) placeexcept andthe itnormal has notones affected which to the entire world.” he noted abatingto see thehow implications effectively of theythe the fundamental properties of — MADAN MOHAN work against the virus and in

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 29 investigational drugs are unlikely Perhaps, the time is ripe to revive make it very affordable in cost to the people at the earliest. use because either it is not idle manufacturing capacities. It Zydus Cadila, Ahmedabad to be effective for widespread tooksome aof public these interestPSUs which litigation have in the Supreme Court to reopen clear which part of the disease three PSUs making vaccines Biologicalis working E; onBharat two vaccines,Biotech; side-effects.pathway they are targeting or — Central Research Institute, andwhile Indian Serum Immunologicals, Institute, Pune; all whether they cause unpleasant Kasauli, of India, India Inc Role Coonor, and the BCG Vaccines Lab, Bengaluru are developing one Chennai in 2012, says Y. Madhavi, India has in the past decade vaccinefrom Hyderabad; each, says Dr.and Gagandeep Mynvax, Senior Principal Scientist at the emerged as a major global Kang, Executive Director of the Delhi-based National Institute player in producing affordable of Science, Technology and vaccines and generic drugs for and Technology and vice chair ofTranslational the Coalition Health for EpidemicScience report by the Federation of Development Studies (NISTADs). Indianthe world. Chambers According of toCommerce a recent private companies meet nearly That the Indian entities are At present, the flourishing Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). 75 per cent of the government entering into challenging and & Industry (FICCI), India is the need to drive its immunisation risky areas is borne out by the world’s third-largest producer programmes. There are also of drugs with a pharmaceutical imports of some vaccines. These “We have decided to initiate industry worth around $38 factors have driven up the statement of Poonawala of SII, billion a year. It is known for costs and budget for funding The decision has been solely these programmes. A greater manufacturing at our own risk. centproducing to 60 high-quality per cent ofand global low- taken to have a jump-start on contribution or better mix demandcost medicines. for many It fulfilsvaccines, 50 andper manufacturing, to have enough 40 per cent of generic drugs. doses available, if the clinical makers might be in the larger India’s contribution, especially in between private and PSU vaccine public interest in the country. company plans to initiate trials trials prove successful”. The typhoid, rotavirus and DPT, and In the global effort to control aslow-cost a big manufacturer vaccines for forhepatitis vaccines B, necessary regulatory approvals, in India for the vaccine with Nations agencies and individual countries,HIV/AIDS, ledIndia’s by therole United in of global makers with capacity which are underway presently. announced that the intranasal units has been significant and Bharat Biotech International, SII, vaccineBharat ‘CoroFlu’Biotech, Hyderabadis under growing. Shantha Biotech, Panacea Biotech are among the beenproducing exemplary. and supplyingLed by CIPLA, low development. An international leading players. cost, antiretrovirals (ARVs) has collaboration of virologists at the many companies are doing Interestingly, not long ago, yeomenAurobindo, service. Hetero, Mylan and and the vaccine company FluGen, the country had a robust University of Wisconsin –Madison manufacturing base in the public sector and vaccine and Managing Director of CIPLA, buildalong onwith the backboneBharat Biotech, of FluGen’s has Yousuf Hamied, Chairman & begun the testing. CoroFlu will M2SR based on an invention drug makers like the Hindustan which was the key player in byflu UWvaccine­-Madison candidate virologists known and as Antibiotics, Indian Drugs & Latex, Bharat Immunologicals ofdriving three down drug the regimen costs of for the $1 HIV/ in FluGen co-founders Yoshihiro Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Hindustan and Biologicals Corporation Ltd. 2000-2001,AIDS treatment has announcedregimen withthat

many of them are in a limbo. the drug against SARS-CoV-2 and KawaokaIn a statement, and Gabriele Bharat Neumann. Biotech (BIBCOL), etc. Sadly, currently, his company will manufacture

30 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 said, M2SR is a self-limiting M2SR an attractive option for viruses and has been approved rapidly developing CoroFlu as a in Japan for the treatment of that induces an immune response safe and effective vaccine against version of the influenza virus SARS-CoV-2. insert gene sequences from SARS- marketednovel influenza under virusthe brand infections. name “We are going to modify M2SR by CoV-2,against the the novel flu. Kawaoka’s coronavirus lab thatwill ‘FabiFlu’When commercialised, in India. it will be adding part of the coding region causes the disease COVID-19, into for the novel coronavirus spike Mynvax, the Indian Institute of protein that the virus uses to latch also induce immunity against the coronavirus.M2SR so that the new vaccine will says Gabriele Neumann, a senior Science (IISc)-incubated biotech onto cells and begin infection,” According to Dr Raches Ella, ofstartup the founders) with a of teamthe Molecular led by co-founder of FluGen. “CoroFlu BiophysicsDr. Raghavan Unit Varadarajan of IISc, (one is virologist in Kawaoka’s lab and involved in developing a vaccine theHead vaccine, of Business conduct Development, clinical trials, virus hemagglutinin protein, based on evaluation of a set of will also express the influenza and“Bharat Biotech to willproduce manufacture almost 300 million doses of vaccine upon previous studies on the which is the major influenza for global distribution. Under get immune responses to both 2003potential SARS-CoV, candidates. these Drawingstudies virus antigen, so we should the collaboration agreement, against the spike glycoprotein coronavirusGlenmark Pharmaceuticals and influenza.” has manufacturing processes to foundhave shown on the thatsurface the of antibodies the virus BharatFluGen willBiotech transfer to enableits existing the inhibit viral infection. IISc has drug maker to launch Phase-III company scale up production been involved in designing of test clinicalemerged trials as of theits antiviralfirst Indian tablet and produce the vaccine for variants of the spike glycoprotein Favipiravir. The company has clinical trials. Bharat Biotech as potential candidates. It has received approval from the Drug has commercialised 16 vaccines, received funding from the Bill Controller General of India in including a vaccine developed and Melinda Gates Foundation. late April 2020 to start trials on These vaccine candidates are COVID-19 patients in India. Glen the 2009 pandemic. being tested in animal models mark estimates that the study against the H1N1 flu that caused through Mynvax. vaccine concept and testing in 2020. Giving an overall picture of Refinement of the CoroFlu would be complete by August laboratory animal models at UW- the country’s efforts, Dr. Renu Madison is expected to take three Favipiravir has demonstrated to six months. Bharat Biotech in Swarup, Secretary, Department activity against influenza production scale-up for safety Hyderabad, India will then begin CoroFlu could be in human clinicaland efficacy trials bytesting the end in ofhumans. 2020. Four Phase-I and Phase-II clinical trials involving hundreds of subjects have shown the M2SR M2SR’sflu vaccine ability to tobe induce safe and a strong well immunetolerated. response, This safety and the profile, ability sequences of other viruses make A view of Bharat Biotech-lab of influenza viruses to carry

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 31 about 20 research institutes are involvedof Biotechnology in vaccine development(DBT), said

thework. DBT, A research ICMR, NIV, consortium etc. Another has focusbeen formedarea iswith on expertsresearching from repurposed drugs for treatment. Nearly 50 drugs have been

on. Several DBT institutions identified and research is going

A view of Indian Immunologicals Limited-lab againstare working COVID-19. to see which formulations can work effectively alternate therapeutic regimen for mutational variants of the The DBT Secretary said the early deployment is critical. virus. “We are fast-tracking the government is engaged in a development process, to make The project aims at such an broad spectrum of things — from alternative therapeutic regimen the next six months and thus by generating highly effective the antibodies available within cost COVID-19 testing kits and ventilatorsscaling up toproduction expediting researchof low- he said. antibodies that are capable improve the treatment efficacy”, for the development of vaccines. ofand specificneutralising human themonoclonal SARS- The most recent initiative is In another collaborative effort, CoV-2. Such virus-neutralising the one involving the Indian antibodies can block the spread Council of Medical Research of infection by binding to the the Council of Scientific and virus and rendering it ineffective. have announced a partnership (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech. They MillenniumIndustrial Research Indian (CSIR)Technology under to develop a fully indigenous its flagship programmes, the New Monoclonal antibody therapy vaccine for COVID-19 using the is a highly effective and safe has sanctioned a project to virus strain isolated at ICMR’s developLeadership humanInitiative monoclonal (NMITLI), National Institute of Virology antibodies as therapy for method. “The question is of how successfully transferred from COVID-19 infections. The project to treat those individuals who NIV(NIV), to Pune. Bharat The strainBiotech, has beensays are already infected. Plus, we do and brings together academia not yet know how effective an will be led by Bharat Biotech in the elderly people and those — National Centre for Cell anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine will be DiseasesRaman Gangakhedkar, of ICMR. Work Head onof large number of Indians suffering Epidemiology & Communicable Institute of Technology, Indore, vaccine development has been fromwith hypertension,co-morbidities. diabetes, Given andthe andScience industry (NCCS), Pune— andPredOmix Indian heart diseases, this becomes an Technologies, Gurugram in a important issue, said Dr. Krishna initiated between the two collaborative mode for a public Ella, MD. partners. (See Box on page 33) health emergency. The rationale continuous support to BBIL for behind the move is the premise Israel and the Netherlands vaccineICMR-NIV development. will Overall,provide the have recently announced the NIV has isolated 11 strains of the the development of drugs and development of virus-neutralising that efforts are underway for SARS-CoV-2. ICMR and Bharat vaccines for controlling the antibodies The Indian approach COVID-19 pandemic, though these approvals to expedite vaccine of neutralising antibodies that development,Biotech will subsequentseek fast-track animal canis to alsodevelop simultaneously a powerful cocktail block are slow and expensive processes studies and clinical evaluation with uncertainties. Therefore, an 32 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Bharat Biotech’s Vaccine Approved for Human Trials An Indian consortium led by Bharat Biotech has announced that its potential vaccine Covaxin has got the drug regulator’s nod for human trials. The

andNational NIV, PuneInstitute constitute of Virology the consortium. (NIV), Pune had isolated the strain of the coronavirus. Bharat Biotech, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) The indigenous, has been developed and manufactured

in Bharat Biotech’s BSL-3 (Bio-Safety Level 3) High Containment facility locatedIn a statement, in Genome Bharat Valley, Biotech Hyderabad. said, the Drug Controller General of India — a

submitteddepartment results of the generated CDSCO, Ministry from pre-clinical of Health &studies, Family demonstrating Welfare has granted safety andpermission immune to response. initiate Phase The human I & II trialshuman are clinical scheduled trials to after start the across company India in July 2020.

The Chairman and Managing Director of the Bharat Biotech, Dr. Krishna Ella

said, with strong support from the consortium partners and Government, the entire development process was accelerated through national regulatory protocols. The company laboratorydeployed its studies, full strengths he added. in R&D and manufacturing and completed the comprehensive pre-clinical studies. The results are promising and show exhaustive safety and effective immune responses in of the candidate vaccine. Dr. Ella hopefully reach human trials in said, “We are the only company three months. furtherwill be conducttransferred clinical to Indiantrials, BioSafety Level 3 production Immunologicals Limited (IIL) to On the drugs front, Indian in the developing world having phased manner. IIL intends to companies are gearing up to usewhich its existingwill be Vero taken cell upplatform in a take on production and ramping manufacturingIndian Immunologicals facility”. Limited technology for mass production up capacities. Gilead Inc. has of the virus, says Dr. K. Anand announced out-licensing of Kumar, Managing Director, IIL. University(IIL), a leading of Australia vaccine to conduct maker exploratoryhas joined researchhands with and developGriffith Remdevisir to three Indian firms a lead vaccine candidate for has joined the race to develop a in— ARVsJubilant and Life the Sciences,manufacturer Hetero of vaccine.Meanwhile A teamthe IIT of Kanpur,researchers too, Drugs (which is a major player latest codon de-optimisation led by biophysicist Dibyendu and CIPLA, another major player technology.coronavirus. TheyThe willtechnology use the inTamiflu ARVs forand control affordable of Swine drugs. Flu), looks promising for developing approaches — a subunit and a a vaccine for prophylactic, active, liveKumar attenuated. Das is trying out two M. Somashekar, Science Journalist single dose immunisation against (Former Associate Editor, The researchers have been The Hindu Business Line) Flat 401 Manbhum Sumukha coronavirus in humans, with an months. If the results are Apts; IA Employees Colony enhancedUpon completion safety profile. of the positive,working theyfor intendthe pastto test three the Hydarabad-16 research, the vaccine strain vaccines in animal models, and E-mail: [email protected]

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 33 ICMR Leads Fight Against COVID-19 Dr. RAJNI KANT AND Dr. ENNA DOGRA GUPTA

The COVID-19 pandemic has infiltrated into 215 countries of the world leading to 10 million infections and 0.50 million deaths. In the current fight against COVID-19, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, is working relentlessly to implement scientific interventions to combat the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. It is leading the mammoth task of testing and diagnosis of COVID-19. Reaching the copious number of per day current testing capacity in the face of a pandemic and in the shortest possible time span is a success story in itself. As on 28 June 2020, ICMR has crossed the figure of eight million in testing of samples, with a total of 83,98,362 samples tested of which 5,28,859 were found positive for SARS-CoV-2. It is interesting to note that there are only five countries that have crossed the eight million testing mark. Apart from testing, ICMR is involved in a plethora of aspects of COVID-19 research. This article summarises the response of ICMR to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CMR has been on the forefront from one lab to more than 1,000 I laboratories to initiate testing Virus since its beginning at of COVID-19. ICMR expanded facilities.with non-ICMR/MoH&FW This includes CSIR, Govt. DBT, in the fight against Corona itslabs activitiesworking 24x7from fordiagnosis testing DRDO, Govt. Medical Colleges, etc. and testing to validation and Wuhan in Hubei Province of evaluation, procurement and quality National Accreditation China (December, 2019) and distribution of reagents to BoardICMR has for alsoTesting engaged and Calibration with high- detection of first case in Kerala conduct sero-prevalence and in India (January, 2020). Corona from developing guidelines/ private laboratories to increase strategies,Control Room strengthen was set up atICMR- ICMR advisories to initiate research on Laboratories (NABL) accredited Hqrs to develop appropriate COVID-19. appropriate safeguards. ICMR access to the test while ensuring DHR Viral Diagnostic Research monitoring of situation for Ramping up the public and private labs and is preparedness.Laboratory Network National and Institute close resolvinghas regular their touch issues points related with to testing capacity logistics, approvals, reporting, only lab that detected the 1st case The testing capacity has been etc., on a continuous basis. of theVirology Corona (NIV), virus Punein the wascountry the ramped up in the time-bound Fourteen institutes of national in January, 2020 and developed RT-PCR diagnosis. Over the of 1,047 government and private period of time ICMR escalated the labs.mission-mode To ramp with up a currentthe testing total repute have been identified as testing capacity and capability capacity, ICMR has engaged COVID-19mentor institutes testing forlaboratories. reviewing the requests for approving new

34 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Currently, more than 2 lakh be tested. The current criteria Fast track mechanism samples are being tested per day. include symptomatic people for diagnostic kit last 14 days, all symptomatic validation ICMR, in collaboration with NIC who have travelled abroad in has prepared a data portal for In ideal situations, the validation (National Informatics Centre) streamlining the data collection cases, all symptomatic health of diagnostic kits takes much from all the laboratories on a contacts of laboratory confirmed real-time basis. workers, all hospitalised institutedlonger time. a fast In track the mechanism wake of patients with influenza-like Formulating a forfighting validation this pandemic, of indigenous ICMR has hotspots/containmentillness (ILI) symptoms, zones, all National Testing allsymptomatic symptomatic ILI patients ILI amongwithin PCR and antibody based). Taking Strategy COVID-19 diagnostic kits (RT- 7 days of illness, all patients of the committee decided to returnees and migrants within by national task force chaired by severe acute respiratory illness risk/benefit ratio into account, Dr.The V.K. testing Paul, strategyMember, isNITI reviewed Aayog. and asymptomatic direct and recommend only those kits which negativeshow 100 sample per cent to mitigateconcordance any high-risk contacts of a confirmed with the positive as well as thatThe firstall strategy the wassymptomatic formulated 5 and day 14 of coming in his/ on 9 March 2020, which stated case (tested once between day discrepancy which may lead countries reporting COVID-19 multiple testing platforms are validation, ICMR is also mentoring her contact). In addition, now to skewed results. Apart from andpeople symptomatic who have contactstravelled of toa available to cater different the indigenous kit manufacturers needs including antigen testing. to improvise their kits and re- The testing criteria has been ICMR has a constant vigil on the submit for evaluation. A total confirmed case must be tested. national testing strategy in line of 24 institutions are engaged situation thus broadening the in validation of diagnostic kits revised five times as per the outbreak. batch testing and supplies. with the current trend of the spectrum of people who should

ICMR response to COVID-19 pandemic

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 35 In a short span of time, 56 COVID-19 has been validated Procurement and RT-PCR kits and 13 antibody kits have been validated. The pan-India distribution recommendations have been asat aDHR/ICMR testing modality, VRDL using(BMCRI, the of COVID-19 testing equipmentBengaluru) alreadyand now deployed included for supply Standard Control Organisation diagnosis of tuberculosis. The shared with the Central Drugs TruenatTM beta CoV test has been the procurement of RT-PCR kits, recommended as a screening RNAICMR extractionhas been kitsentrusted and viruswith FDA/EU(CDSCO) CE forapproved taking RT-PCR it test. All positives through andforward. antibody In addition,kits can beall usedUS- number of ICMR institutes have for COVID-19 diagnosis after transport medium (VTM). A approval from Drug Controller basedthis platform test is costwill effectiveneed to andbe reconfirmed by RT-PCR. The chip- and validation centres for the been identified as lot testing intimation to ICMR. due to its portability. Currently, procurement, ICMR is also taking General of India (DCGI) and thereallows arefor overpoint-of-care 300 Truelab testingTM aprocured lead in pan-Indiamaterial. distributionsAlong with In order to increase the national of testing supplies. Sixteen depots testing capacity, TrueNat-based have been established across the indigenous point-of-care test for forworkstations the testing. already deployed in country and these will be utilised

ICMR scientists and staff working in COVID-19 testing laboratory

36 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Team ICMR doing sero-survey in the community to see exposure to SARS-CoV-2 country for an uninterrupted in four research areas has been studies are being planned and supply of reagents to government conceptualised in collaboration testing laboratories. constituted: (i) Operational research; (ii) Epidemiology DAE,with otherICAR) science for anddeveloping research Disease prevention ICMRand surveillance;is coordinating (iii) Clinical a researchagencies (DST,solutions DBT, CSIR, to DRDO,the and management: hospital-basedresearch; and clinical(iv) Diagnostics. research COVID-19 situation. The research aspect collaborative, the ‘India COVID-19 of the pandemic Clinical Research Collaborative In-house diagnostics

ICMR has isolated and sequenced clinical understanding of development the SARS-CoV-2 and its scientists COVID-19Network’, into theenhance country theto At the time of the beginning are engaged in planning research studies to give insights into protocols, and push research the virus, the disease, and its develop India specific treatment novelof this coronaviruspandemic, whenand therevery prevention and management. of drug development for the little was known about this A national research task force viraland developmentinfection. Several in theresearch field in the country. ICMR-NIV took was dearth of testing facilities

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 37 onus and formulated RT-PCR generated in-house at ICMR-NIV. Development of assays for COVID-19 screening first indigenous To conclude, the successful earlier published methods. human IgG ELISA establishment of the RNA-based Aand robustconfirmation, diagnosis adaptingrequires diagnostic system including kit for SARS-CoV- 2 a positive control to keep a the in-house positive controls diagnosis check on the RT-PCR reaction. Considering the limited supply provide a timely diagnosis to of positive controls and indigenous human IgG ELISA acceleratehas proved clinical highly managementbeneficial to ICMR-NIV has developed the first increasing demand for use kit for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. and isolate SARS-CoV-2 patients Developed in a months’ time, Viral Research and Diagnostic in order to control further spread. in the national network of presence of anti-SARS CoV-2 IgG it would help to study the in-vitro antibodies in Indian population Laboratories (VRDLs) engaged areIn February,supporting we 760 supported Government 13 VRDL laboratories and today we controlswith SARS-CoV-2 for thetesting, screening run laboratories throughout the development. It is cost-effective, that would aid in future vaccine transcribed (IVT) RNA as positive country. sensitive, and rapid. A large number of samples can be tested and confirmatory assays was at a time and it can be used at any Prof (Dr) Balram Bhargava, level of a clinical setting, public health centres and hospitals. The about ICMR’s role in combating kit has been validated at three Secretary DHR&DG, ICMR, talks centres. The technology has been transferred to Zydus Cadila for COVID-19: mass production of the ELISA since the onset of COVID-19 • ICMR is working unremittingly to gear up the testing done in a record time to ensure capacity, testing strategy, and earlykits. The supply technology of kits. transfer was infrastructure to make our nation fully prepared to combat Undertaking a this unprecedented pandemic. National Sero- We have been trying to set up laboratories for testing in remotest of the remote part for Surveillance Initiative

Ladakh at an altitude of 18,000 ft. the benefit of the society. A recent example is the lab in Leh, FamilyICMR inWelfare, collaboration Govt. of Indiawith andDepartment National Centreof Health for Disease and of testing kits, reagents, diagnostic accessories like RNA • It is imperative to note that earlier, most of the manufacturing health departments and key by international players. ICMR has done the requisite hand- Control with support from State holdingextraction to upscalekits, swabs, the domestic and virus manufacturing, transport material thus bringingwas led India, conducted a community basedstakeholders, sero-survey including to estimate WHO our nation to a level where we are self-reliant. the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 nations like USA and Italy, has risen to the occasion and is infection in Indian population. • trying India,despite its level much best tolower contain health the spendingpandemic thanthrough developed critical preparedness and rapid response actions. Our motto is to by ICMR’s National Institute save as many lives as possible. The survey was coordinated National Institute of Research in — R.K. ANTHWAL of Epidemiology (NIE) and

Tuberculosis (NIRT), Chennai. 38 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 This household level cross- indigenous vaccine for COVID-19 Drug therapy clinical sectional survey covered 24,000 using the virus strain isolated adults distributed equally across at ICMR’s National Institute of studies four strata of districts categorised In the absence of evidence of on the basis of reported cases of has been successfully transferred a successful clinical therapy, COVID-19. Overall, the survey Virology (NIV), Pune. The strain ICMR has taken lead in planning vaccine development has been and participating in clinical selected 69 districts from 21 from NIV to BBIL and work on studies for the evaluation of States.was conducted The results in ofrandomly the Ist seek fast-track approvals to various drug therapy trials. phase of the survey indicated 0.7 expediteinitiated. vaccineICMR and development, BBIL will subsequent animal studies • WHO Solidarity Trial and clinical evaluation of the provideper cent informationexposure, however about the candidate vaccine. : ICMR spreadfurther ofresults SARS-CoV-2 of the infectionsurvey will in forhas publiccollaborated health emergencywith the different parts of the country and Apart from the fully indigenous SolidarityWorld Health Trial Organisation — an thus framing the future course of vaccine development initiative, international randomised action. trial of additional treatments Serum Institute of India and for COVID-19 in hospitalised ICMR has also collaborated with Vaccine development Oxford University to fast-track patients. The 5-arm trial phase I/II clinical trials of the live attenuated recombinant vaccine of hydroxychloroquine, Bharat Biotech International for COVID-19 developed by the Lopinavir-Ritonavirwill assess the efficacy ICMR has partnered with Oxford Group. combination therapy, Limited (BBIL) to develop a fully

Hydroxychloroquine Prophylactic Treatment for HCW & Close Contacts

Guidelines for Pregnant Women & Liver Transplant

Appeal to General Public for restricting use of Smokeless Tobacco & no spitting in Public places

Appropriate COVID-19 Death Recordings & Medico-Legal Autopsy in COVID-19 Deaths

National guidelines developed by ICMR

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 39 Interferon beta-1a and Liver Transplant Society of India that could increase the spread of Remdesivir. The trial has been the SARS-CoV-2. initiated on 30 April 2020. various aspects of COVID-19 ICMR has also prepared diagnostics(LTSI). The before,guidelines during, include and • Studying the side-effects a guidance document for post liver transplant. of Hydroxychloroquine appropriate recording of guide evidence-based policy ICMR has also framed a guidance COVID-19 related deaths in decisions, an observational: To document for the management India. Robust data is needed from study has been initiated to every district and state in India the COVID-19 pandemic. This to measure the public health using hydroxycholoroquine in documentof pregnant guides women healthcare during impact of COVID-19 and to plan understand the benefits of facilities providing obstetric for timely health interventions have participated in the study. and protect communities. Apart health-care workers. Five sites from this, standard guidelines • Plasma Therapy care for pregnant patients with for the medico-legal autopsy in developed generic protocols, inconfirmed obstetric COVID-19 healthcare or pregnantsettings COVID-19 deaths in India have selected sites, : ICMRobtained has includingpersons under obstetrical investigation triage, (PUI) also been drafted. requisite approvals and labour and delivery, recovery and made essential preparations in-patient postpartum settings. Conclusion for roll out of phase II ICMR is catering to diverse national Randomized Controlled ICMR has recommended empiric needs in these unprecedented times of COVID-19. It has played effect of convalescent sera in the prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 a major role in initiating and inTrials moderately (i) to understand ill COVID-19 the infectionuse of hydroxychloroquine in both asymptomatic (HCQ) ramping up the COVID-19 testing in the country to isolating the study the effect of total plasma in the care of suspected or SARS-COV-2 that lead to the exchangepatients (PLACID therapy Trial); in severely (ii) to healthcare workers involved development of ELISA kit and ill COVID-19 patients. and asymptomatic household confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to provide support Guidelines for cases. Revised guidelines have vaccine candidate. ICMR would beencontacts issued of confirmed on 22 May COVID-19 2020 tackling various to the best of its capabilities. aspects of COVID-19 in the fight against COVID-19 evolving disease, strategies to ICMR has developed guidelines prophylacticwhich includes treatment the findings in health of combatSince Covid-19 it are also is beinga new revised and ranging from preparation of carethe effect personnel. of the use of HCQ as a as per the situation. ICMR is private laboratories to ensure having a close vigil on it and network of government and dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic,In view ICMRof the has increasingappealed support from Central and state working accordingly with the hasefficient also forecastvalidation/evaluation requirements to the public to refrain from Governments, various Science forof newtesting diagnostic equipment, kits. kits, ICMR and consuming the smokeless Agencies and other stakeholders. tobacco products and spitting Dr. Rajni Kant, Director, RMRC Gorakhpur and Scientist G & Head, manpower for the preparation in ICMR has issued guidelines to in public places. Chewing Research Management, Policy the worst-case scenario. gutka, paan masala Planning and Coordination (RMPPC), smokeless tobacco products (like paan ICMR Hqs., New Delhi liver transplantation, considering with tobacco,supari) E-mail: [email protected] address the issues specific for the impact of the outbreak of increases and theother production chewing oftobacco saliva Dr. Enna Dogra Gupta, Scientist, COVID-19 pandemic. These products) and areca nut ( ICMR Hqs., New Delhi E-mail: [email protected] guidelines have been prepared by spit and spitting in public places followed by a very strong urge to

40 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 CSIR’s Five-Pronged Strategy to Fight COVID-19 UMASHANKAR MISHRA

Considering the multifarious problems created by the SARS-CoV-2, which require interventions in several areas and a multi-pronged strategy, CSIR has set up five technology verticals for addressing the emerging situation due to the pandemic.

he ongoing pandemic of multifarious problems created TCOVID‑19 is caused by severe by coronavirus that require acute respiratory syndrome interventions in several areas activitiesfive verticals are have being been carried identified out. and a multi-pronged strategy, Theseunder verticalswhich COVID-19-related are need-based and span multiple research labs zoonoticcoronavirus-2 killer. Over(SARS 10 ‑CoVmillion‑2), verticals to address them. peoplewhich has have proved already to be fallen a stubborn prey CSIR has set up five technology the strength of scientists and studentsand disciplines and harness and draw it for upon the more than 0.50 million people Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, DG, CSIR haveto this lost virus their worldwide lives across while the In a review meeting held virtually, globe as on 28 June 2020. These diagnostics,fight against drugs,COVID-19. hospital- These numbers are increasing thick and informed: “A Core Strategy Group five verticals are surveillance, (CSG) has been set up in CSIR and

Indianfast with eachCouncil passing of day.Medical

Research (ICMR), Department of IndianBiotechnology Institutes (DBT), of DepartmentTechnology of Science and Technology (DST),

Development(IITs), Indian InstituteOrganisation of Science (IISc), Defence Research and

(DRDO), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and other scientific institutions and universities are working at CSIRvarious is onelevels of tothe fight largest COVID-19. public-

CSIR’s five verticals against COVID-19 (Credit: CSIR) funded scientific establishments of the world. Considering the March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 41 assistive devices and supply surveillance platform has been CSIR is building end-to-end capacity in this vertical and integrating digital data, such taking support from industry to employmentchain.” In addition, and CSIRproviding is also asbuilt viral with genome, the deepobjective patient of ready-to-eatworking on foodpromoting to migrants. rural data and disease course data, for digital surveillance. A including outcomes. Integration platformcome up withfor surveillance optimum solutions is being outreach programmes has also of data, involves collection and beenAwareness given utmostgeneration importance. through segregation of data from multiple sources and linking them together. developed in partnership with While Aadhaar could be used levelIntel India.screening It is inalso Kolar working and of the activities taken up by as a hidden private integrator, it large-scalewith the TATA screening Group forcentred district- on GivenCSIR under below each is aof brief the verticals.account is not available in most data. As the TATA group employees. Read on. such, the alternative is to have a unique ID and consented data CSIR-CCMB, CSIR-IGIB, and CSIR- 1. Digital and Institute of Microbial Technology molecular the time of initial testing, and a surveillance tracing via an app downloaded at of SARS-CoV-2 to ascertain if any partners. genetic(IMTech) changes are doing are occurringsequencing in Isolation and social distancing network of clinical and molecular being key measures in containing The CSIR-Centre for Cellular and COVID-19 outbreak, the goal is to helpthe virus gauge while the severity it is spreading of disease in be able to trace patients digitally, he Institute of Genomics and inthe various country. geographical The information regions, will establish virus transmission Molecular Biology (CCMB) and chains and mitigate transmission. linked immunosorbent assay) Integrative Biology (IGIB), along detectionin developing test, an and ELISA ultimately (enzyme- a of the virus and its sequence are molecularwith a few surveillance other institutions, of the vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Over Further, identification of the strain spreadare working of COVID-19. for the Withdigital digital and 300 genome sequencing of SARS- and molecular surveillance of the CoV-2 have been done so far in critical towards understanding SARS-CoV-2, scientists are hoping molecular epidemiology, which and development of suitable the country, and this number is will assist in accurate diagnosis vaccines and drugs. about the virus. The surveillance increasingvarious scientific continuously. institutions Of this, of centreto identify has many been of establishedthe unknowns at 200 sequencing have been done by CSIR itself, as informed by Dr. centres and Towards this end, a digital IGIB where all the labs, research national channel. share their data Mande, during an interview on a throughhospitals cloudwill sharing. The National Centre for Disease surveillance CSIR is working with the hospitals also for pan-India representationControl (NCDC) forand withall theselocal thewill begenome done things. Using the testing data, sequencingat three levels: of to identify the asymptomatic- the virus, the patient, and experience a mild impact, the the clinical infected people and people who course of the people outside the hospital patient. study will also include infected Surveillance including Digital Methods (Credit: CSIR) network. The surveillance will be 42 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 able to monitor the population in virulent. morecame upsensitive, with a community where the spread is anda new, cheaperfaster, Accessibility to this data has been diagnostic restricted to only government test kit called FELUDA. The FELUDA CRISPR/ hasofficials been andlinked on to thea need-to-Aarogya Cas-based paper Setuknow appbasis, recently while launcheda part of byit diagnostic test, the government. The idea is to developed by IGIB, can detect number of people. single nucleotide provide benefits to maximum variants in RNA 2. Diagnosis is or DNA or more broadly any DNA the key to combat or RNA fragment, COVID-19 Accurate diagnosis is important for sequencing. without the need for proper treatment and Diagnosis is important for proper treatment. (Credit: CSIR) effective care of patients. That CCMB and IGIB are also engaged in training of 3. Development of diagnostics as another major human resources for conducting repurposed drugs/ verticalexplains whyagainst CSIR hasCOVID-19. taken up SARS-CoV-2 testing. An indigenous diagnostic platform, new drugs and namely Truenat, developed vaccine CSIR labs are well-equipped testswith theand technologypossess expertise and know- in Millennium Indian Technology how of COVID-19 diagnostic with the support of the New despiteDeveloping the newbest drugsefforts against from diagnostics. has been approved for testing of COVID-19 may take a few years developing newer and rapid theLeadership SARS-CoV-2 Initiative at the (NMITLI), national CSIR is deeply involved in the level. It can capture data the global scientific community. from the installed machines testing of human samples using theHowever, drugs efforts approved are underor tested way and feed the central database the RT-PCR test. Several of its forworldwide non-COVID-19 to fast-track diseasesand test laboratories are engaged in for surveillance purposes. About 1,000 devices are being repurposing of drugs that CSIR used across the country for Indian Institute of Integrative tooksuch upas asHIV its orthird Ebola. vertical. It is this the work, which include CCMB, coronavirus testing. Some of the and NEERI. IGIB, IICB, NEIST, India is also participating in Medicine (IIIM), IMTech, IHBT, Diagnostics Validation Centres. CDRI, IITR, NBRI, CIMAP, and some of the global trials and SeveralCSIR labs Indian are alsocompanies working areas ready for testing. Laboratories, clinical trials. The main focus CFTRI are a few others that are kits that need to be validated by such as CLRI, NIIST and NIO, are ofwill this also vertical carry isout on itsenabling own thecoming government up with beforenew diagnostic accepting supporting the state governments quick access to drugs against them and putting them to use. COVID-19 for Indian patients as CCMB is the only non-ICMR soon as they are developed in the with RT-PCR machines. designated validation centre and When the need for testing country or globally. CSIR is increased in the country, CSIR exploring all possible options IGIB will soon become one. March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 43 and in critically ill drugs. The vital issues being COVID-19 patients, tackled in this vertical are there is an altered synthesis of key intermediates immune response of these repurposed drugs, leading to a reducing India’s dependence on massive change imports, hydroxychloroquine in their cytokine and , initiating trials on indigenously repurposed drugs, modulates the and conducting clinical trials immuneprofile. Thesystem drug of phytopharmaceuticals and of the body and thereby inhibits gives a list of such drugs that are the cytokine storm AYUSH drugs. The following table Testing and Kit validation at CSIR-CCMB (Credit: CSIR) leading to reduced ranging from repurposed drugs mortality and faster recovery. It Newbeing developed:drug discovery and development: In addition to and biological therapeutics any other therapies required repurposed drugs, it is important includingto new drugs vaccines. to Ayush products incan thebe usedmanagement concurrently of suchwith COVID-19 are discovered and restriction. takenthat newup for drugsdevelopment. specific CSIR to of the top ‘potential’ repurposed critically ill patients without any labs, such as CDRI, NCL, IICT, drugsCSIR is inworking case onIndia the synthesisgoes for Small molecules and active compulsory licensing so that pharmaceutical ingredients this aspect and are utilising the country can quickly launch (APIs): CSIR has been molecularCLRI, and IIIM modelling-basedare working on the drugs for its patients. For participating in advanced global clinical trials of repurposed and testing. pharmaceutical companies, approach followed by screening suchthis, itas hasCipla tied and upCadila. with CSIRtop has established credentials in Name of drug IP Status/ Status the synthesis of drugs and has company Favipiravir Expired Scaling up for regulatory earlier too. It has also been the in 2019/ purpose, currently fountainheadworked closely of withprocesses industry for authorities Fujifilm with Indian regulatory Remdesivir Patent valid Gram-scale synthesis generic drugs for which India is till 2035/ globally renowned. Clinical trials of Mw: CSIR and Gilead approval and Gilead stance Cadila have received regulatory achieved, awaiting FDA approval for clinical trials to Patent CSIR made process expired development and industrial Umifenovir (Arbidol) gram-negative sepsis drug, called partners scaling up studies Sepisvacevaluate thefor efficacy COVID-19 of an patients. existing Chloroquine/ Generic Gram-scale synthesis The drug contains heat-killed materials available in India Hydroxychloroquine completed with starting found to be extremely safe in Camostat Mesylate Ono Pharma Gram-scale synthesis Mycobacterium (Mw) and is (intermediate) patients. Also no systemic side completed

use. In Gram-negative sepsis effects are associated with its Source: https://urdip.res.in/covid19/vertical3.jsp 44 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 • Tinospora cordifolia the West Bengal government on (CSIR and 9plasma April 2020.therapy was approved by Medanta Hospital, Ministry of • Withania somnifera AYUSH) The trial has been planned Pune University, Ministry of (CSIR, involving IICB, Medical College

AYUSH) Hospital, and ID & BG Hospital • herb AYUSH-64 formulation (Ministry comprising of AYUSH Committeesin Kolkata. andApplications the approval were Alstoniaand CSIR): scholaris This , isPicrorhiza a four- hassubmitted been received to the Humanfrom all Ethicsthree kurroa, Swertia chirayita, and institutes. The trial has been Caesalpinia crista. submitted for registration at the Phytopharmaceutical Clinical Trial Registry of India Inactivated corona vaccine formulation: CSIR and Sun CCMB and Bharat Biotech are : regulatory approval. A dedicated a formulation developed for ‘Epidemicand would Immune be submitted Monitoring for COVID-19 vaccine development denguePharma beingare developing repositioned ACQH, for Lab’ has been prepared for this underworking the together aegis offor the inactivated NMITLI COVID-19. The application for programme. Programme. clinical trials has been submitted to DCGI and approval is expected SARS-CoV-2 cultures and cell Convalescent plasma therapy: soon. lines for screening assays and The U.S. Food and Drug testing: Administration has approved Supplements: drug discovery, a critical step is the use of convalescent plasma an application for trademark the establishment To take offorward viral cultures new therapy as an experimental for developing CSIRzinc hasgluconate filed and assays for testing. CCMB treatment in clinical trials, and Vitamin C as nutraceuticals, has made considerable progress and for critically ill COVID-19 small molecules, natural products other treatment options left. infection.which have been found beneficial towards that and all the identified Thepatients therapy where involvesthere aretaking no in patients with SARS-CoV-2 be tested once the platform is the antibodies from the blood Traditional medicines: and phytopharmaceuticals will development. from SARS-CoV-2 infection and ready. It will also help in vaccine of a person who has recovered CSIR is working with the transfusing those symptomMinistry of management,AYUSH to come andup antibodies add-onwith prophylacticinterventions tomeasures, modern into a person medicine treatments. virus. This The following AYUSH therapysick with thathas botanicals/formulations have long been used been taken up by CSIR and to help kick- Ministry of AYUSH for clinical start a person’s trials: immune system. • Glycyrrhiza glabra The IICB (CSIR, proposal on Medanta Hospital, Ministry of convalescent Scientists working with viral cell culture (Credit: CSIR-CCMB) AYUSH) March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 45 4. Hospital-assistive laboratories, namely Central Building Research Institute address the COVID-19 pandemic. devices and PPEs Effectively,runs short ofthe what platform is needed is to A major challenge during the Engineering Research Centre assure security to any individual COVID-19 pandemic globally (CBRI), Roorkee, and Structural has been the severe shortage expertise and can undertake the at risk of infection from SARS- of ventilators and oxygen (SERC), Chennai, have the desired user who is infected with or enrichment devices given that schools into makeshift hospitals, COVID-19 patients develop severe andwork also of set transforming up on-site modular existing 2 police,CoV-2 (doctors,etc.). This nurses, is expected hospital to respiratory problems. Another to 4-bed transit hospital facilities becomeattendants, the sanitationnational benchmark workers, critical requirement in this as immediate measures. The for all future epidemics and a pandemic has been the need for laboratories also have expertise model for pre-emptive disaster personal protective equipment in setting up pre-engineered relief.

doctors, nurses, and paramedical measures. The Supply Chain Vertical Team staff.(PPEs) to the caregivers such as buildings by way of short-term CBRI, Roorkee, has made labs/unit scientists across the CSIR has many high-quality prototype make-shift hospital country,of CSIR TCS,is working CII, and otherwith thirdCSIR building. This design of the parties to set up information expertise of developing medical make-shift hospital is being management and forecasting devices.engineering NAL, labsCMERI, with CECRI, the databases at the national level to capture demand and supply actively in the development of Government.implemented nearA demonstration Haridwar in scenarios for key items that are ventilatorsCSIO and other and labsPPEs. are workingFor the unitUttarakhand for COVID-19-related along with the facility State required to address the COVID-19 production scale-up of these, is also being set up by CBRI for emergency. NDRF at their 8th Bn Station in Ghaziabad. thisCSIR vertical,has tied CSIR up is withdeveloping PSUs ventilators,such as BHEL oxygen and BEL.enrichment Under toScientists combat fromCOVID-19. all over At the the world same 5. Supply chain and are trying to devise effective ways dispensing taps, electrostatic logistics support disinfectors,units, pedal-operated PPEs, etc. water systems time, the whole world is keeping a close watch on India as to how The supply chain initiative is to of 130 crore is going to save its this country with a population Makeshift hospital: CSIR is ensure, to the extent possible, that citizens from this deadly SARS- also preparing to address the CoV-2. The early announcement of unmet need of a large number of hospitals. Its constituent healthno user centre,organisation mohalla (hospital, clinic, lockdown by the Prime Minister, police,testing lab,municipality, ambulance etc.) network, ever when the infected count was less than 400, was well appreciated scientistsby the World can Health yield better Organisation results against(WHO). theThese COVID-19 efforts pandemic. by Indian

Umashankar Mishra Senior Copy Editor, India Science Wire Vigyan Prasar, C-24, Qutub Institutional Area, Delhi-110016 E-mail:[email protected]

46 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 COVID-19 and Artificial Intelligence: The Path Forward ANKIT MANDERNA

Humankind has been hit by a disease which was mistaken for a flu but has turned out to be much worse. With hospitals jam-packed in countries which are badly hit by COVID-19, the pandemic is far from getting over. Governments across the world are advising their citizens to learn to live with the virus, till we get a vaccine in hand. As a result, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the focus, specifically because of the enormous possibilities it holds for the future of humanity. The role of AI has been a slightly debatable topic, but the outbreak of COVID-19 has certainly made people see this new-age technology in a different light. The coming years are going to be intriguing as the relationship between AI and healthcare is going to unfold in unexpected ways and could bring about a paradigm shift.

A Over 500,000 deaths and still no veryrtificial often in Intelligence this day and (AI) age. isA vaccinebring backat hand, “normalcy” the COVID-19 again. consideredArtificial Intelligence, to be concerning a field a term that we come across crisis does not seem to be getting which was predominantly over anytime soon. This brings concept that was a fun element ofcomputer our life,science, namely has Sports,swiftly isin evidentscience in variousfiction disciplines.films has helping in the present state of made its way into other areas Medicalbecome science,a reality. in particular,Its influence has affairs.us to the question of how AI is etc. The use of AI in different Agriculture, Healthcare, Defence, technology. The unprecedented outbreakbenefitted of immensely COVID-19 hasdue created to this

put the health systems in a very precariousa crisis throughout position. the Despite world andall the technological advances that humans have made, COVID-19 has brought everything to a standstill. With our health systems, economies, the tech industry, etc., on the edge, the researchers, and scientists across

(Credit: Hospital and Healthcare Management) all the fields are on their toes to deal with this global crisis and March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 47 sectors has also come under beforehand. AI is generally used shared among the citizens of the in diagnosis, drug development, humans losing their jobs. The country.AI-related This developments development will hasbe counterfire because argument of the has question been that of given a boost to AI enthusiasts, AI is the rapidity in the diagnosis asand comparedgene editing. to The a benefitphysical of strengthening the research check-up. AI is also being used AI will make completion of jobs which will eventually help in constantmore efficient, topic ofbut debate.the varied The made the diagnosis of your countries. In genome editing, $10views billionmake thisJoint technology Enterprise a healthactivity much in this easier field. than Its usebefore. has alterationsfor genome to editing DNA can in bewestern done There are several applications to change the characteristics of that help in the overall diagnosis an organism. Although it has governmentDefence Infrastructure and Microsoft (JEDI) for of one’s health. The American 3D also received negative reactions, contract between the American computer-animated superhero genome editing and AI are Big Hero 6 has Baymax, together making breakthroughs creating the US military’s “war in medical sciences. AI.cloud” The exhibitsaim is to that make countries defence film are willing to invest heavily in an inflatable healthcare robot. In the current COVID-19 pandemic But not just in films, you can caused by the virus SARS- CoV-2, since the virus spreads combinationoperations moreof cloud efficient computing and youdownload just have various to enter apps symptoms from mostly through close contact via andprecise AI. withIndia asthe a helpdeveloping of a andPlay aStore possible and causeApp Storeor a certainwhere small droplets produced due to country has major potential in coughing, sneezing, and talking, adding AI to its infrastructure. healthThe language condition barrier is identified. is something the precautions are majorly According to the Economic Times, that still needs to be resolved based on maintaining physical

plan for creating an institutional such apps and to bring them at “The NITI Aayog has drawn up a for increasing the efficiency of frequentlydistance and andgood nothygiene touching which An increase of US$ 957 billion diagnosis. Verily is an application one’stypically face. involves The Governmentwashing hands of toframework India’s GDP for AIby in2035 the hascountry”. been thatpar withhelps physical in predicting presence non- for estimated because of the inclusion contagious and hereditary strict guidelines for preventing of AI. The Indian Government has genetic diseases so that one theIndia spread and WHO of theboth disease. have issued The can prevent potential threats government has also pledged and take precautionary steps $15M to the vaccine’s alliance launched an AI portal (https:// GAVI at the Global Vaccine indiaai.in/), where all the recent Summit.

COVID-19 and AI Over the years, psychologists, roboticists, and other

professionals dealing with AI itshave help. predicted With theits powersoutbreak and of COVID-19what all could across be theachieved globe, with the research community is trying to

and reports so that the nature of find patterns in the clinical trials

the virus can be predicted well 48 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 be textual or in the form of an audio.

Keeping Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Training Well

could estimate the number of Early is working on a model that Research Detection undetected cases of COVID-19. In this model, Machine Learning is being used to quantify the number of undetected cases by

End of analysing the mutation of the Diagnosis Life Care virus as it is being transmitted among the population. Decision BenevolentAI is using an AI drug Treatment Making

Potential Use Case of Al in Healthcare (Credit: PWC, “No longer Science Fiction, Al and robotics are transforming Healthcare”) drugsdiscovery in suppressing platform which the spreadchecks ofthe COVID-19.efficiency ofThe existing development certified in advance. Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and AI are the for research papers related to COVID-19 is expanding the tools that are being explored by towhere COVID-19 a researcher and can canalso lookget literaturein the scientific available studies for studying related the researchers for this task and the virus and hence, researchers as a result some success has been have more data at their disposal. achieved too. answers to their queries. and services provider, Ramco Systems,A Singapore-based has prepared software itself for this phase of COVID-19 by While writing this article, one the UK have designed “computer of the new developments is modelsStudents atthat Cranfield can University identify in introducing face recognition symptomsthe identification of COVID-19. of lack of COVID-19 in X-ray images. The and thermal scanning in their smell (anosmia) as one of the models use computer vision BlueDot, a Canadian AI startup is workspace. The first step in analyse chest X-ray imagery. It this new system is face and artificial intelligence (AI) to amongst those tech firms which identification in which after had warned about the outbreak of verification, the next step is can classify information which a flu-like disease (later identified thermal scanning wherein the would not normally be recognised as COVID-19) even before WHO employee is only allowed to same. BlueDot used an AI-based COVID-19with the nakedopen researcheye and dataset assist found out to be normal. Staqu released its notification about the enter when the temperature is algorithm to go through various CORD-19with the diagnosishas been madeof COVID-19”. free for Technologies, a Gurugram- based AI startup, has developed air ticketing patterns to detect technology to identify people theforeign-media spread of the reports pandemic. along Johns with languageresearchers processing). to work withThe datanew advances in AI and NLP (natural distancing norms. A French is available in abundance for AI Zurich together have made an startupwho are Clevy.io not followinghas introduced social interactiveHopkins University dashboard thatand tracksETH chatbots for the citizens so that technology that could directly the COVID-19 infections across experts to work out and develop they can search for government help our healthcare professionals the globe. Vehant Technologies, and ease the load off them. communications related to COVID-19. Chatbots are a type of Delhi is an AI startup that has developedwhich was FebriEye,conceived a atsystem IIT- launched a Machine Learning in dealing and providing some AWS (Amazonhttps Web cord19Services). has/) Assistive Intelligence that is first that is equipped with thermal website ( :// aws user-based response which can March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 49 temperature screening and a demand has increased manifold. camera that monitors social records because any tampering distancing and face masks, a adequate internet connectivity, to have well maintained previous technique similar to Ramco With our homes equipped with course of treatment. The privacy Systems’. An application ofin patientsthe records is a concernwill affect because the developed by the Government the Internet of things (IoT) will of India, called , is increasemake its wayas intomore society devices rapidly. get medical history to fall into the connectedThe volume to ofthe online internet, data thuswill the patient would not want their if they are around a COVID-19 making the use of AI prominent One of the issues that AI infectedbeing used person. to alert people when/ across technological platforms. wrong hands. Future trends Online education platforms have also seen a drastic increase in the encountered recently was when Machine learning and deep user-base during this pandemic. chatbotsFacebook’s stopped AI systemsinteracting were in learning are a subset of AI that Englishshut down and startedafter developingautomated their language. Later, the bots statisticians. The techniques The field of biotechnology, can be referred to as powerful used are a bit sophisticated which was emerging slowly, only in the . A and technical, therefore before cases.has gained Timothy rapid A. growth Springer, lately a researcherwere programmed can encounter to converse such with overnight success in some have to make sure that both School became a billionaire AI, and this is one of the main healthcareintroducing professionalssuch systems, andwe professor at Harvard Medical an unprecedented situation with patients understand these Moderna Inc. skyrocketed after dominant force in the near future. thewhen COVID-19 the shares pandemic of the company, crisis COVID-19reasons why has theynot onlycannot spotted be a them. The learning of AI and started. the shortcomings in society, but techniques and are familiar with in recent years, establishing a Summary and any such crisis in the near future. NLP has grown exponentially conclusion it is also preparing the world for branch, namely computer science. Coursesdifferent ingrowth medical from technology its parent The use of AI in healthcare is far from perfect as it does not COVID-19 is not the first virus that humanity is faced with and Ph.D.) are being offered by both account for a false negative or amount of information exchanged it will surely not be the last. The AIIMS(Masters, Jodhpur Masters-PhD, and IIT Jodhpur, and false positive. It may lead to a and shared among research communities has strengthened to consider the unintended where the two institutions consequences.treatment but willSince not 100 be ableper problems. The future is very the efforts in dealing with such services)can work that in thecollaboration country can anduse cent accuracy has not been todevelop enhance products its healthcare (devices system. and achieved yet and is a distant indecisive at the moment but how Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, of responsibility remains very majorthe researchers changes in dealhealthcare with andthe criticaltarget asin ofcase now, anomalies the question are virus right now will bring about becoming a mainstream mode of found. Due to this, the use of ‘Work from Home’ is on the path to dispensing duties. The tech giants AI in healthcare systems is still will also determine the course of like Google and Facebook have far from having a dominant or actionAnkit Manderna,in the field Research of AI. Scholar declared that their employees (PhD 2nd Year) School of Computer and Systems used as a secondary measure Sciences 2021. Work from home has given primary role. For now, it will be Jawaharlal Nehru University need to work from home till a boost to internet services in the issues. During the development New Delhi-110067 developing countries because the databasein dealing for AI,with researchers healthcare need E-mail: [email protected]

50 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Unlocking the Code of COVID-19: Health & Risk Communication Hold the Key Dr. MANOJ KUMAR PATAIRIYA

The National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), which being the apex body of the Govt. of India as part of the Dept. of Science & Technology, has a mandate of evolving policy initiatives, implementation mechanisms and extending support for promoting science communication and scientific temper among masses in the country. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging threats to human life such as earthquakes, landslides, extreme weather events and other risks posed by different uncertainties in today’s scenario, the NCSTC has taken initiative to put together a National Health & Risk Communication Programme — Year of Awareness on Science & Health (YASH) to combat such risks and mitigate the crises with the help of public awareness and preparedness. The programme also intends to empower and enable people to take informed decisions especially when it comes to conflicting choices to reach a better solution to the crisis! A National Organising Committee has been formed to steer and implement the YASH programme at the national level.

he reports are alarming, simple straight communication of a miracle drug, a magic remedy, Tsurveys are disappointing, or high TRP value discovery of a vaccine, everything is presented surroundings are suspicious! risksmay notinvolved be sufficientand attitudinal unless in such a sensational manner that Eachstories one are ofworrisome, us looks andat the aspectspeople areinculcated made awareinto people’s of the people often tend to believe such other as a potential threat of minds so that eventually they become part of daily routines. some misleading. The common carrier! In the circumstances claims! Some may be true while virus, who knows who is a On the other hand, every next spurt in info-demic. Many vaccine, or no remedy available timesmasses even have the to educatedcope with people this forwhere COVID-19, there is nocommunication, medicine, no various aspects on COVID-19 in are prone to confusion in the abundanceday we find in the information mass media, on absence of correct and evidence hold the key for combating social media, or through personal awareness and preparedness messaging. Be it a breakthrough the subject. based scientific knowledge on the virus. However, often March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 51 The current scenario of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 has posed concerns and challenges

and health preparedness can play all around. Scientific awareness

a significant role to help correct informationthe situation and with to conveytranslation the risksand usage involved. of authentic It can scientificfacilitate the communities to overcome

abundancethe crises ofon knowledge the other. deficitIt is on the one hand and knowledge

equally important to deal with the problem of deficit of the right same time, the abundance of fake and health information to programme has been put kind of knowledge and, at the and misleading information. communicate the risks and together. The programme is facilitate risk management, and targeted at different levels of COVID-19 Focused immediate and effective science stakeholders on health and Awareness communication for promoting risk communication focusing community-level response is on COVID-19 for sustainable Programme response to the health risks The National Council for Science year-long campaign on science posed mainly by communicable necessary. A framework for a diseases. risk communication has been Govt.& Technology of India Communication,has come up and health awareness and Dept. of Science & Technology, communication in the society are required specially to address effective science and health mayworked eventually out. Health lead to andinformed risk Various scientific interventions communicationwith a comprehensive programme and decision-making by the people COVID-19 as per the NITI Aayog for promoting grass-root level thereby promoting community anddifferent role areas of incommunication dealing with appreciation and response preparedness and sustainable health hygiene culture in the the lives of the people at large country. interventions would be towards saving and shaping areascrucial, suchincluding as: new urban-to-waves of ruralinfection migration and new and transmission potential promotingas well as healthbuilding consciousness confidence, spread of various programmes acceleration during/after the amongstinculcating the scientific masses. temper and andIn viewactivities of the onvariety various and aspects of science and resource mobilization in rural In order to facilitate necessary technology communication lockdown; community-based actions and preparedness of the and popularization across private health system capacity society to address the challenge, the country, especially the includingareas with quarantine,limited public testing and programmes centred on public and management of patients, out by involving academic, panic and higher risks to health research,the strategies media wereand voluntaryworked sanitation, hands-on science, organisations. The translation health and hygiene, water and stigma atmosphere to address etc., a comprehensive yearlong potentialworkers; buildingstigmatization trust and anti-of media, and public awareness, and usage of authentic scientific 52 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Reaching the Unreached Science is interdisciplinary and the ability to communicate

solutions effectively across the disciplinesscientific ideas fosters and collaboration,technological creativity and innovation. Being able to communicate the relevance and impact of the technology and discoveries can enhance public participation by educating the society about the challenges being faced today and also help policymakers to chart

set of objectives of science, new directions. An indicative returning migrants; and panic programme on health and risk health and risk communication and/ or fear and lack of trust communication on current and programme includes, and is not amongst community vis-a-vis emerging issues covering science communication priorities related limited1. To reach to, the the following: unreached and a coordinated effort of risk and to the preparedness for disasters, minimize risks at all levels health workers.communication All these involving require crises, hazards, calamities and all stakeholders in an effective emergencies, health risks, climate communication and outreach manner. change, Sustainable Development activitieswith the at large.help of public 2. To promote public The overall concept behind hazards, and lifestyle problems, understanding of common evolving such an initiative is riskGoals prevention(SDGs), occupationalin digital minimum science for not just to diffuse information technologies and cyber security, community care and health among the masses and clarify safety measures like personal public concerns but also to practices for risk reduction, etc., sanitation and hygiene, nurture an informed public andtraditional catering and to local the knowledgeneeds of physical distancing, and response to reach a reasonable, different stakeholders. maintaining desired collective thoughtful, and collaborative behaviours, etc. solution. The necessity of The initiative is aimed at encouraging public participation 3. To develop and disseminate process has also been highlighted in risk related reciprocal science communication intwo-way the context risk of COVID-19.communication communication processes to open routes for better decision making coverage in mass media software, enhance science The NCSTC has been able to and stakeholders’ involvement. including illustrative This could entail incorporating interpretations specially to organisations and resource explanations of risk assessment reduce the fear of risks and personsdevelop networkingacross the with countryseveral process, strategically addressing through a range of high impact of necessary understanding. build confidence with a dose programmes and activities. It is groups to interpret science and 4. To assess and rationalize to further develop the experience differentthe different notions ways of acceptableof target community preparedness and and implement a yearlong risks and attitudes. perceptions.

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 53 faiths, customs, and belief for adopting sustainable Communication programme systems. The science 5. healthy To inculcate lifestyles,scientific temperand hasThe beenNational planned Health and is& beingRisk communication programmes

among the masses and mechanism of pan India presence cultural fabric of the nation. societies.nurturing scientific culture andimplemented reach. Statein a big Councils way with of a Scienceneed to be weavedcommunication into the efforts by only refuting them Health & Risk Communication Science & Technology have been involved in the programme, which and working in isolation may Programme society and may experience b)has capacity three major development, ingredients: and a)c) anot great penetrate deal wellof deviation.into the Risk communication by and large disseminationsoftware/content and outreach.development, Generally, people tend to listen to the preachings of of the people at large is at risk. different faith leaders; this relates to situations where the life Be it an epidemic, a pandemic, communicators and volunteers trust and belief on faith risks of genetically engineered Networking and training of leaders can be harnessed food, nuclear disaster, or extreme Thefor worksactivities related are to spread community over health messages among the to be addressed immediately health would be an advantage. for conveying scientific and weather situations, these need South, Central and Northeast. Specialsix regions: communication East, West, modules North, masses for their benefit. with the right kind of approach comics-based information may be developed depending 3. Science cartoon (scientoon), and public awareness using on specially marked zones, i.e. materials, audio-visual reciprocalinterdisciplinary communication scientific among programmes, clips, etc. knowledge and practices. Ongoing 4. Digital, e-books, pamphlets, part of the risk management providedRed, Orange, in regionalGreen. Awarenesslanguages all beneficiaries is an integral process. Risk Communication software materials may be info-graphics, etc., may be is more than the dissemination Active and experienced resource prepared.booklets Street(digital/print), plays, theatre, of information and a major personsincluding may Hindi be roped and in. English. skits, puppetry, folklore, etc., may be developed. information and opinion essential The project teams in various tofunction effective is therisk process management by which is incorporated into the decisions science communication activities Mela, exhibitions, gallery, etc., 5. Swasthya Yatra, Jatha, Vigyan of risk management. regions would channelize may be organised. interpretation of authentic public 6. Webinars, Web-shops, online/ Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, healthtowards information translation and guidanceand Secretary, Department of Science in layman’s language. The activities undertaken to ascertain stakeholdersoffline lectures, are conferences, envisaged absence of vaccines and cure onworkshops, the subject etc., and with beyond. different for& Technology, COVID-19, hasconveying said, “In the authentic best practices on and fulfill communication needs 7. Collaborative programmes 1.are Theas follows: communicators and of the virus and its management volunteers may be trained are envisaged for current and cutting down on the transmission across the country to help post-crisiswith other organisations,scenario; current etc., and post-crisis campaigns to communicationare of paramount strategies significance. have their respective areas and toFor be amultidimensional, widespread impact, engaging, our languages.spread health awareness in be worked out. 2. India is home to different speed and scale. 8. Handling info-demic, fake informative and delivered with news, misinformation, etc. 54 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 community-based effective the people and healthcare science communication booklets, science cartoons, 9. Trust building between andradio, othervideo, sciencefilms, books,media the needs of community through virtual/digital related activities. workers to ensure fulfilling approaches and software 18. Activities under ongoing messages. others) or traditional and programmes to develop through clarity of scientific creativeinterface yet(WhatsApp/SMS/ non-physical young change-makers for 10. Building local risk managers contact modes for compliance or opinion/learning responding to natural or manmade disasters and facilitators vis-a-vis capacity thereby reducing avoidable calamities. of healthcare systems and pressurewith health on instructionshealthcare access to the same. systems. 11. Important community nukkad-natak, song, drama, 14. Applying local languages for 19. Folk media (puppetry, functionaries in rural etc.) based and digital science communication. Panchayati Raj institutions illustrative interpretations areas: risk communications with Block representatives, Zilla and for informing role and as Science, Technology, Parishad—ward representatives,member, Sarpanch, etc., of scientific knowledge responsibility of people to 20. STEMMEngineering, (it can be expandedand Self-help groups, Community- support health emergency Mathematics) demonstration based organisations, management. activities, fairs and c ommunity-based exhibitions, and target group government functionaries, evidence-based reporting 15. Encouraging scientific by media to all stakeholders 21. specificInnovative outreach, approaches etc. to extensionlike ASHAs, anganwadi andworkers, ANMs. Agriculture advantage. workers, teachers, measures.including health workers communication would be an about affliction and redressal 12. Important community In addition to utilising 16. Encouraging personal already available authentic sanitation and hygiene, locally Urban local bodies, Non- materials developed by public functionaries in urban areas: making masks using the government organisations, organisations, i.e., ICMR, PIB,

Community-based of PSA, etc. guidelines issued by the office information materials to be organisations.Resident welfare associations, 17. Developing science developedMoH&FW, andand AYUSH,disseminated new 13. Evolving and using to focus on risk and health communication. communication software on YASH: Year of Awareness on Science & Health In the current scenario of anxiety, depression and challenges, the translation and usage of common minimum science and authentic information to communicate the risks and facilitate risk management, an immediate and

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 55 effective science communication for promoting community level

facilitate necessary actions and toresponse ensure was preparedness desired. In order of the to society to face the challenge and threat posed by the pandemic of COVID-19, the NCSTC has

come out with a year-long programme “Year of Awareness variouson Science components & Health” to (YASH).have a The YASH programme has the

Theconsolidated inherent countrywide idea of effort. the Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, programme is to build capacities and Health & Family Welfare releasing the multimedia guide-COVID KATHA. Also and enable communities to present on the occasion was Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India an analytical mind, and take an informeddevelop a sensedecision of awareness,especially and malpractices based on terms of publications, audio- visuals, digital platforms, folk performances, trained ofwhen the it expectedcomes to healthcareoutcomes andare authentic knowledge duly communicators, especially in risk for their wellbeing. Some verified by scientific process. regional languages to cater of solutions/service to various cross sections of 5. providers. Trust in scientific competence 1.summarised Improved here: risk understanding society. amongst target groups, 6. Science communication about A feedback and evaluation individual risk reduction sensitivities, belief systems, measures. including working with local incorporated into the traditions, and indigenous mechanism would be prepared and submitted at the using different channels of interpretations for emergency 7. Target group specific completionprogramme. ofA reportthe programme would be communication.knowledge by way of readiness and behavioural change. to the Department. The risk 2. Attitudinal changes among communication initiative for 8. Assessment of public target groups about sustainable health and future perceptions and encouraging appreciating risks, associated preparedness based on current public engagement. challenges, solutions, and and post COVID-19 approach 9. Enhanced public participation offers a composite response to in health and risk related be brought in place. coping with the situation with reciprocal communication courage and confidence. COVID Katha: A processes to open routes for Multimedia Guide for 3. Better working relations better decision making and stakeholders’ involvement. Mass Awareness leaders,with community doctors, etc. leaders, influencers including faith 10. Availability of a range of As part of the programme, the 4. Improved ability to clarify science, health, and risk mis-perceptions, misbeliefs, Technology Communication has National Council for Science & communication software in 56 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 it. It may understanding of science and strengthen health in the special context of numerous corona COVIDCOVID-19.” Katha presents different far reaching effortswarriors withof regarding COVID-19 pandemic building mass inaspects a simple from andscientific lucid tomanner social

on current scientoons equally interesting healthawareness and with the help of well-drawn social crisis. The multimedia links offer It is designed updatedfor children information and grown-ups. in text, to facilitate visuals, graphics, animation and and update on videos. As for the stress caused the objective by the pandemic and resultant brought out an online multimedia resource guide on A-to-Z of genres of communication, i.e. folk interpretation of scientific songs,lockdown, puppetry, it carries and folka variety arts like of Anamika Ray Memorial Trust peopleaspects, and would public also health help systems. build Kathakali to bring in infotainment COVID-19 in associationCOVID Katha with — the much-needed trust between and amusement. This dynamic A Multimedia Guide for Mass measure to strengthening public and interactive multimedia Awareness,(ARMT), titled The guide is an empowering useful and exemplary science communication which solution is extremely for the people at large in the present scenario and accessible freely on smartphone, laptop, computer, multiple information resources. and other such devices with

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble FamilyMinister ofWelfare, Science released& Technology, the multimediaEarth Sciences, guide andon 3 MayHealth 2020 & on the occasion of the launch of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations

Technology that enters 50th year of theits gloriousDepartment presence of Science since &it came into being in 1971.

While releasing the multimedia

“COVID Katha must reach out acrossguide, thethe Hon’ble country Minister and every said, citizen must read and watch March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 57 platform offers a completely coverage being a regular activity

to public communication of across the internet, it becomes andwisdom misinformation to handle insuch digital issues. age science.new and Similarly, innovative a varietyapproach of and information being amplified isFake a challengenews is afor global true concernscience. There is need for an analytical developed including various difficult to differentiate between perspective for breaking the forms,communication such as softwareScience isFiction, being informationactual news hasand startedfake news. breaking As a Poetry, Drama, and Comics. result, general belief in scientific bringing in ethical dimensions indication. fake news phenomenon and down which is not a good Misinformation and through communication There is a need to curb the strategieswhile dealing and withinitiatives. the issuesSuch Fake News Although it is important to of misleading and biased ensure the proliferation of informationwidespread to disseminationstrategize andefforts healthwould helpcommunication shape the the innovative initiatives in therebyway forward connecting in effective the sciencemasses breakthroughs among the communication, especially for information regarding scientific and foster global partnerships to the authentic science news sciencemasses, communication.today new challenges One of scientific organisations to avoid thehave biggestevolved challenges in the fieldin theof and deal with such issues of scienceand innovations communication. creating newer current digital environment is tofake reportingnews, paid risks news posedand ethics by avenues and vistas in the field of the faulty communication of epidemicsparticularly or pandemics.when it comes The Press Information Bureau

including COVID-19. The major Certain mechanisms are being challengesscientific and among technological them are issues paid developed to address the menace (PIB), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, has created a various methods and techniques misinformationwebsite and given especially an e-mail on dimensionsnews, fake news, due to propaganda the promotion and of fake news by employing COVID-19to verify theissues. fake newsSimilarly, and ofseveral business other interests issues with and ethicalaccess misleading information. the Indian Institute of Mass to social media channels. Itto isdeal pertinent with theto issuessay thatof an interactive platform for Dhenkanal has brought out Prevalence and impact of paid scientists, communicators and guidelinesCommunication to address the (IIMC),issues policymakers may offer a quick a global concern and their spread redressal of the issues of fake Anamika Ray Memorial Trust hasnews been and aidedfake news and exacerbatedhas become of fake news in mass media. The by social media. With media news and paid news by creating (ARMT), Guwahati has launched ethical awareness and practical a campaign with a newspaper

58 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 group using mass media to curb actions targeting core capacities, including augmenting pouring in. The Hindi version of healthcare systems, promoting informationthe COVID-19 and related cartoons. fake news dst.gov.in.COVID Katha The has nowCOVID come Katha out breakthrough research, measures with the help of well-illustrated pagesand is availableare being on thereproduced website of social distancing and public Health in alphabetical order and of ringtone messages of do’s Consciousness: A and Facebook. COVID Katha has andawareness don’ts usingon cell a novel phones concept and Cultural Pursuit beendisseminated reported tothrough be translated Twitter in telephones, amongst others. India as a nation carries a Khasi, Assamese, Bengali, Tamil Since the onset of pandemic, great treasure of cultural and and other regional languages India has taken leadership and as a voluntary effort by various assisted neighbouring and other science communication scientific heritage led scientific enthusiasts. wisdom from time immemorial Ascountries our scientists in multiple and ways.doctors are times!that isThe partly important known lesson as Some 3,000 volunteers trained thatscientific the noveltemper coronavirus in modern has under different NCSTC projects measures to minimize the exploring new and innovative across the country on health and A major cultural practice to to be a tremendous support risk, new solutions are going inculcatetaught to thea worldsense is ofNamaste! social are contributing on health and hygiene and water and sanitation distancing to avoid infection risk communication in their mitigating COVID-19 pandemic. to our unified efforts towards causing communicable diseases. Effective science and health social distancing measures. respective areas by following Namaste has been an integral communication at mass scale with partGreeting of Indian each culture. other with provide further reinforcement to Gujarat State Council of Science thesenecessary efforts. health awareness will A variety of our cultural practices NCSTC in association with Science City has organised Finally, COVID-19 also teaches Citizens’& Technology Science Webinarand Gujarat Series have scientific basis, be it food on “Science Communication communication and education, physicaland spices and mentalwith rejuvenationmedicinal researchus why and healthcareinvestments including in values, yoga and meditation with seasonal and astronomical cycles, & Awareness in the Time of are most crucial for the nations and theAyurveda, festivals Pashu-Ayurvedaand rituals with 11COVID-19” am. Overduring 3,000 10-16 activeMay andpromotion societies! of scientific temper and Vriksha-Ayurveda, etc., participants2020, everyday joined betweenthrough video10- conferencing from across the started realising the deep-rooted and so on. The world has now disciplines.country and interacted with the duringIndian conceptsthe current and outbreak knowledge of experts from different walks of Dr. Manoj Kumar Patairiya Head & Adviser pandemic.systems of wellbeing, especially Preventive and proactive health National Council for Science & and risk communication is the Technology Communication Communication strategic mantra especially during Dept. of Science & Technology public heath emergencies like Govt. of India Efforts the current one. Much before the Technology Bhavan Reports on a number of activities New Mehrauli Road New Delhi-110016 on health and risk communication health emergency, India has been E-mail: [email protected] muchoutbreak ahead was declaredin implementing as a public as part of YASH programme are March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 59 IN CONVERSATION

“CSIR fighting unitedly against SARS-CoV-2” — Dr. SHEKHAR C. MANDE At this point of time, all the constituent laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are fighting against the SARS-CoV-2. CSIR scientists are doing this at three levels. These involve finding ways to avoid infection and treatment protocols; coming up with techniques to detect and treat the disease; and developing medical instruments for interventions. The Director General of CSIR, Dr. Shekhar C. Mande speaks with Madan Mohan (MM) about the multifarious ways in which CSIR is contributing to the fight against the SARS-CoV-2.

MM: to developing testing protocols DG-CSIR: The CSIR laboratories

The entire nation is fighting making equipment such as organisationthe war against of the the SARS-CoV-2. country. ventilators,while others etc. are I amworking happy onto involved in the field of medicines CSIR is a premier scientific say that progress has been made are currently working on about endeavour? ones10 drugs; that someare beingare totally clinically new How is CSIR contributing to this that technology transfer has also drugs whiles others are known DG-CSIR We have divided our takenin quite place. a few fields; so much so CoV-2. laboratories into separate groups tested for efficacy against SARS- and given: different tasks to each MM: Would you like to mention group. Some laboratories are MM: What are CSIR laboratories any such drugs?

DG-CSIR: Certainly. Indian or vaccines; some are dedicated and vaccines? working on finding medicines doing in the field of medicines

60 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Institute of Chemical Technology recognised and used as antivirals It can be used in hospitals, clinics, in Ayurveda.

MM: What about vaccines? Is out(IICT), research which ison a Favipiravir.CSIR laboratory IICT berailway available stations, in the airports, markets soon.…just hassituated successfully in Hyderabad, developed is carrying a about anywhere. This test kit will synthetic process for this drug DG-CSIR: Well, not on a separate CSIR working on vaccines too? developing different diagnostic and transferred it to Cipla. This vaccine per se techniquesCSIR has dependingbeen working on diverse on drug is recognised as a medicine do have a molecule named . However, we Centre for Cellular and Molecular Thus, it may be a likely candidate drug has been used to treat needs. The Hyderabad-based for flu in China, Russia, and Japan. Mycobacterium W (Mw). This the next generation sequencing test.Biology This (CCMB) test is hasimportant developed for COVID-19to treat COVID-19patients. Similarly,as well. theIt thatleprosy this for drug almost maybe two decades.effective large-population surveillance. Centralwill soon Drug be Researchused in trialsInstitute on asInitial a drug findings against have COVID-19 indicated too. You can test 50,000 samples

(CDRI), which is located in That is why we began trials on test for coronavirus in a city or on the antiviral drug Avidol. in one go. So, if you want to Lucknow, is carrying out research this drug with Cadila. AIIMS at district, you can carry out the tests on a large scale. This test haveNew Delhi,initiated Bhopal, trials andon seriously Jodhpur outIt is onused COVID-19 to treat patients.flu in many Our along with PGIMER, Chandigarh, countries. This will also be tried laboratory in Jammu, the Indian will be launched in the market afflicted COVID-19 patients. company. Institute of Integrative Medicine still do not have the full report. in association with a private These are blind trials, so we MM: equipment for testing for (IIIM), is working on a drug drugHowever, as a prophylacticthe results too.may This be COVID-19? And Whatwhat is CSIRabout doing the in Itnamed is ACQH.a phyto-pharmaceutical This is a molecule isencouraging. because studies We wish indicate to test that this it molecule,that has been i.e., identifiedit is derived in India.from may be useful in prevention too! DG-CSIR: We had a dearth of plants. It has been sourced this field? MM: What steps has CSIR ventilators in our country. We from a district inhabited by the have designed ventilators and indigenous people. The molecule diagnostics? transferred the technology to has been used to treat dengue, taken in the field of COVID-19 earlier. Dengue is also caused DG-CSIR: We have developed affordable ventilators that by an RNA-virus. This is the costBHEL. just Our Rs. equipment 10,000 each. includes The of Genomics and Integrative National Aerospace Laboratory is repurposing it for use against quite a few tests. The Institute SARS-CoV-2.reason why a private company developed a rapid paper test for COVID-19.Biology (IGIB) It gives in New accurate Delhi, andhas MM: (NAL) in Bengaluru, has designed correct results in just half an a special BIPAP ventilator which hour. The technology has been Are you also working in patientshas significant of COVID-19. ease of operation It can already transferred to a private collaboration with the Ministry befor usedthe not-so-seriously just like a face afflicted mask. DG-CSIR: of AYUSH? Developed in a record time of out research on four formulae market shortly. just 36 days, it has been named provided Yes,by thewe areMinistry carrying of party. The test kit will be in the Similarly, the collaboration testing these formulae from Swasthya Vayu. It is being tested AYUSH. Our laboratories are isbetween a RT-PCR CSIR test, and but itReliance can give hasthe availableat the inManipal the markets Hospital soon. in the context of modern medical resultresulted on in the a RT-lampspot in just test half which an Bengaluru. This ventilator will be scienceAYUSH toalthough establish these these arein In addition, CSIR has developed hour at a cost of less than Rs.100.

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 61 and transferred technology been taken at different levels for an electrostatic spray machine. It can decontaminate Departments are cooperating in ofscientists medicines will or beby ablevaccines. to claim an area or place of SARS-CoV-2 to fight the SARS-CoV-2. All victory over it…either by means sure to emerge as a result. MM: this fight and good results are CSIR is working on so many ininfection. Chandigarh, The Central has Scientificdesigned are you of success? MM: drug candidates, How hopeful it.Instruments It sprays Organisationdroplets of (CSIO)10-20 DG-CSIR: In research, especially microns and easily targets the triumph As aover scientist, the SARS-CoV-2? how long do coronavirus. you think it will take for us to DG-CSIR: in the field of drugs and vaccines, MM: What do you think about you cannot predict which drug or the means being adopted to stop This is a new virus. numberwhich vaccine of candidates will be successful.for drugs Initially, we knew little about andHowever, vaccines it is clearbeing that vetted; more the can emerge victorious soon? it. Our knowledge about it was SARS-CoV-2? Do you think we higher are the chances of success. DG-CSIR: Scientists have joined regularly.limited. However,Scientists arenow gaining new knowledge is coming forth (Translated by Dr. Sukanya virus. So, by the next 5-6 months Datta) hands to fight the virus. In our in-depth knowledge about this country, significant steps have “Combating COVID-19 requires tough regimes of care and treatment” — Prof. R.K. DHAMIJA

Prof. R.K. Dhamija (MD, FRACP, FRCP), a prominent neurologist, is currently heading the Department of Neurology at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. He is Advisor of the Royal College of Physicians (London) in India. He is also the Chair of the Movement Disorders in World Federation of Neurorehabilitation. He was awarded the 33rd S. Radhakrishnan Memorial National Medical Teacher Award in 2017. Dr. Manish Mohan Gore (MMG), Scientist with CSIR-NISCAIR, spoke with him on the neurological and various other health aspects related to COVID-19.

62 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 MMG: Sir, thank you so much and their families. This leads such infection be reduced? for Invention Intelligence. The How could the possibilities of pandemicfor agreeing of to COVID-19this interview has Prof. Dhamija: Ministry of to enormous stress, which is precautionsunderstandable. as advised The dependingbest way In our country, COVID cases to deal with this is to take full areimpacted increasing the wholeday byworld. day. forHealth treatment and Family of mildly Welfare positive has and then adhere to do’s and Do you think the efforts of orcome asymptomaticup with new guidelinesCOVID-19 don’tsupon the for allocated their personal zone of goods. work our hospitals are effective patients. These guidelines are Relaxation techniques, including enough to combat the COVID-19 evidence-based and in line yoga and meditation, are helpful pandemic, especially in the to alleviate the anxiety. context of India? self-isolation, there are strict protocolswith international for these patients,norms. likeFor MMG: Prof. R. K. Dhamija: Thanks they need to have a separate room older population and children are more Studies vulnerable reflect to SARS-that I appreciate this endeavour in understandingfor this interview implications session andof inwith addition washroom to other and advisories.only one Theyspecific have attendant to be monitored to look after,daily causeCoV-2. psychologicalHence, they areeffects. advised You is of immense public interest by surveillance teams. Patients to remain at home, which may inthe presentCOVID-19 time. pandemic It is true which and is expected that the number of home only if they meet these peopleare a neurologist.and children So, canI wouldcope mandatoryare allowed self-isolationrequirements; at like to know from you how older days due to enhanced public movement.cases will increaseOur health in comingsystem quarantine facilities. As such, couldwith thiskeep unforeseentheir body andsituation mind has been geared up in last three thereotherwise, is very they littleare admittedchance toof of lockdown. In what ways, they months to meet this challenge. spread if these requirements are We have augmented our hospital met and they are isolated. Prof.calm asDhamija: well as active? The vulnerable beds, testing capacity, ICU beds, groups, including elderly persons availability of ventilators, etc. MMG: Doctors and paramedical Our hospitals in most parts of the higher risk and need to take with co-morbidities, are at a to admit and treat COVID-19 staff being the frontline warriors patients.country areOne now ofwell the equipped most of COVID-19doctors and are medicalworking staffday and be others.extra precautions The social withisolation minimal and important things the government minimised?night. How can the stress levels shieldingmovement of andelderly contact for a withlong period is setting up more than Prof. Dhamija: mental health issues, especially 600has donelabs forduring testing the in lockdownless than time in lockdowns can lead to three months. putting their lives atHealthcare risk. We from community or family. We workers are working hard suggestwhen therethat issocial no cohesionsupport MMG: What do you think about done and rose to the occasion rather than social isolation are doing this as we have always hospitalisation of COVID-19 distance is a better option. This patientsthe new in ourguidelines country? onPatients the shefor orthe he nation. enters theThat profession. is what groupwhile of maintainingindividuals shouldphysical be Inevery spite doctor of all aspires the precautions,to do when encouraged to keep in touch mild symptoms are carrier of SARS-CoV-2with no symptoms infection. orIf eventhey maximum risk of exposure to through digital communications, are not admitted, chances of thefrontline infection workers and this isare indeed at etc.with Children, their family on the andother friends hand, infection might be increased. a cause of concern to them seem to be less affected than the

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 63 general populace from COVID-19 research. There has been a learning curve for all of us about good reassuring thing is that research is still lacking in this will still be a concern but the area.but peer-reviewed and reliable in terms of its infectivity, naturalthe way history,the virus pathogenesis, is behaving we have a high recovery rate MMG: Older people are and immunity in addition to emotionaland low deathimbalance rate. isThe to keepbest frightened, and they often take way to handle the anxiety and this pandemic as an untimely modalities. The disease to COVID-19 information spectrumtesting with is differentalso changing treatment in andaway frommisinformation too much exposurethrough overcome this mental and terms of its clinical features. electronic and social media and psychologicaldeath threat. state How of anxiety?can they adopt relaxation techniques like COVID-19 goes beyond fever, Prof. Dhamija: This is true that cough,Now itand is breathlessness.well known Thisthat best healthy practices in terms COVID-19 has higher mortality virus can attack heart, kidney, ofyoga helping and meditationus coming outwhich of thisare in the elderly as they have a brain and other systems of our crisis. body in some cases. We need can behave in an aberrant to be vigilant of this aspect MMG: The battle against COVID-19 manner.weak immune They also system tend towhich have and suspect COVID-19 in other multiple other illnesses like sick patients attending our diabetes, hypertension, neuro- hospitals or admitted under our canwill thebe foughttechnological equally innovations by science degenerative and lung diseases, bein tandemutilised with to technology.combat such How a respiratory clinical features. We pandemic? to stick to basic precautions of needcare whoto educate may not our show healthcare typical hygiene,among others. physical The distancing, best way face is professionals about these Prof. Dhamija: SARS-CoV-2 is mask and self-screening. We also unusual manifestations. once in a century pandemic. We, need to educate them, reassure them, and encourage them to MMG: Large sections of the collectively facing this challenge. population are apprehensive of Atin the samescientific time, community, this is also arean family and caregivers through a big crisis constantly attendant opportunity for us to make use of thisdigitally crisis. connect with their technology in terms of bringing and even taking the best possible out better methods for testing MMG: on their psyche. They are aware that the novel coronavirus is feel emotionally and mentally exposure to infection) in the highly Researchunpredictable, findings andindicate its precautions whatsoever. But they population,seroprevalence and (cumulativediagnostic characteristics are mysterious from this mental crisis? technologies in terms of genomics insecure. How can they come out and proteomics. Technology Prof. Dhamija: COVID-19 is theas well. types If we of focus COVID-19 on the Indiancases methods to improve hygiene and thatscenario, are comingwe need and to the find impact out sanitisation,can also aid PPE in kitsdevising and newface of this disease that is expected goingnow emerging beyond asa a multifactorialsimple viral masks. Tele-medicine and digital illness.disease withThe itsrising ramifications number post-COVID-19 era. Contact theto happencoming circumstances?in future. Also, how bound to scare people in the tracinghealth areapps the like way Aarogya to go in Setu the should we be prepared to meet of cases we see every day is are another helpful method in Prof. Dhamija: You are right. proactive government action combating the pandemic. Most of hascommunity. galvanised However, our response timely and in these tech-based measures have terms of our preparedness to been initiated by the government doWe arenot battlinghave muchagainst reliablea new treat these patients. Numbers in the last three months. virus about which we still

64 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Vaccine development is in full to outpace the virus spread using Prof. Dhamija: This is a very important question in terms of candidate vaccines, including recommend everyone to use the healthcare delivery during the inswing the Indianwith institutes.more than We 100are contacttechnology. tracing I appwould Aarogya strongly Setu post-pandemic time. One of the time-tested areas in medical tools to prevent the spread of the seeing some significant advances infection.which is oneWe ofcan most devise important better has been in practice since the last beingin how newcompressed vaccines are10fold prepared or 20science years. is But telemedicine, it has not gainedwhich moreand trialled from previous with the instances timelines of momentum because of its legal vaccine development. We have possible,ways of maintainingmaintaining hygiene,social also seen really encouraging working from home where from both the medical fraternity international collaborations tele-medicine for consultations. andstatus public. as well This as the pandemic reservations has Rapiddistances and inbetter offices communication and using given a push to telemedicine pharmaceutical companies and strategies, data sharing amongst and digital health. Both the internationalwith countries, aid organisationsinstitutes, public health authorities and and the devising clinical protocols are Medical Council of India have challenge. legalised telemedicine as a clinical working together to solve this tool. The immediate advantages MMG: other areas which can go a long of telemedicine include providing therapy for the treatment of wayMMG: in Whattackling is your this pandemic.advice to the healthcare services to people COVID-19How patients? effective is plasma public at large for their do’s and don’ts during this pandemic? video calls, tele-consultations Prof. Dhamija: Plasma therapy andwho many are otherplaced virtual remotely platforms. via has been used in some other Prof. Dhamija: diseases. This modality is very request the people to behave promising and can be effective. responsibly andI wouldadhere strongly to the visits and burden on out-patient This will also reduce the hospital public health measures advised departments. Regular monitoring in our country to evaluate its time to time by the Central Clinical trials are underway and state governments.These and follow-ups can be done while the patients are in self- utilityresponse in clinicaland in management the next few of are also under quarantine. This isolation even when the doctors months we would know its out,include and frequent maintaining hand washing,physical sure to explore all the avenues wearing mask while going will also increase the safety of andCOVID-19. not to Butlimit we ourselves have to to make one from the COVID-19 by avoiding distance of at least two metres. hospitalpatients visits.and healthcare Telemedicine workers has not be successful for all patients These measures are now more been quite useful during the ortype be ofdelayed treatment in trials. which might andimportant should than be doneever withregularly the andphases rigorously of ‘unlockdown’ because process these MMG: Do you have any innovative lockdown period also when there was problem in transportation idea to make the common contain the COVID-19 pandemic. reach hospital for non-COVID and it was difficult to physically Itare is theour only responsibility ways to prevent as citizens and conditions. COVID-19, its infection chain, to contribute to the efforts man scientifically aware about precautions to be taken, and of governments, researchers, Dr. Manish Mohan Gore, Editor prevention? CSIR Samachar, Associate Editor doctors and all other stakeholders Vigyan Pragati and Scientist in combating this pandemic. Prof. Dhamija: We need to break CSIR-National Institute of Science the chain of this virus. It is highly Communication and Information MMG: Resources, Dr. K.S. Krishnan Marg infective and spreads from person changing paradigms of medical New Delhi-110012 to person very quickly. We need practiceHow after do this you pandemic? visualise the E-mail: [email protected]

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 65 “COVID-19 has improved the efficiency of National Innovation System” — Dr. H. Purushotham, CMD, NRDC

The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), over six decades of its existence, has developed a wide network with R&D organisations, viz., CSIR, DRDO, ICMR, ICAR, universities, industries, industry associations, NGO’s, etc. NRDC nurtures new ideas and inventions by providing support and rewards, ensuring intellectual property protection; effective transfer of know-how from laboratories to industry; providing access to new technologies from India and abroad; exporting Indian technological expertise; and offering an array of technology consultancy services. To combat COVID-19, all these organisations have risen to the occasion and come out with various innovations and technological solutions. Aligning itself with the fight against COVID-19, NRDC has brought out a widely appreciated Compendium of Indian Technologies for Combating COVID-19. Dr. H. Purushotham, Chairman & Managing Director, NRDC, in a conversation with R.K. Anthwal (RKA), Sr. Editor, Invention Intelligence, talks about his initiative to bring out the Compendium and other issues related with the current pandemic.

66 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 RKA: Recently, NRDC has brought out a Compendium solutions and technologies have Laboratories, Industries/Start- of Indian technologies for beenlow-cost developed and hi-tech and ainnovative number ups,Academic Regulating / NationalAuthorities R&Dand of projects are at research and validation stage in record time of the occasion and developed about electroniccombating media, COVID-19, and somewhich social was 2-3 months. 200governments technologies who inhave 2-3 raised months. to platforms.widely covered Please by tell the the print readers and of Invention Intelligence about National Research Development this compendium. developingI feel that the innovative NIS / Triple solutions Helix attempt to compile most relevant forworked combating at its highest COVID efficiency-19 and in Dr. Purushotham: India andCorporation emerging (NRDC) indigenouslyhas made an implementing the containment developed technological strategy effectively. on 30th January, 2020 and since innovations, including those thenreported, the firstnumber case ofof COVID-19infected RKA: What are some of the persons is rising. India’s proactive, COVID-19 for major technologies covered in preventive and productive which are at advanced research the Compendium? Thestage, todocument fight comprises informationthe benefit ofabout the stakeholders.200 various Dr. Purushotham: Some of the underapproach the eminentto fight leadership COVID-19 of COVID-19 related technologies, major technologies developed by pandemic were implemented ongoing research activities, Indian institutions such as CSIR, Shri Narender Modi Ji. At present projects at proof-of-concept DRDO, IITs, DST, DBT, BIRAC, Hon’ble , stage, technologies available for Start-ups and Corporates, etc. effective and proven treatment commercialisation, initiatives and under the 3Ts andthere vaccineis no forknown the specific,disease efforts taken by the Government of India, categorized under 3Ts Tracking & Surveillance: are: critical situation, Government of Tracking, Testing and Treating. ofavailable India hasworldwide. sanctioned In reliefthis This Compendium of Indian package of `20 lakh crores to Technologies for Combating • Aarogya Setu help citizens most affected by the COVID-19 shall serve as a ready novel corona virus outbreak and reference for policy makers, • COVID India Seva Surveillance ` industries, entrepreneurs, start- • Digital & Molecular emergency response and many ups, MSMEs, research scholars, more15,000 croreinitiatives towards includingCovid-19 scientists and other stakeholders. activating programmes like “Make • Machine Learning Model Camera COVID The compendium prepared • Jarvis-AI based Thermal Testing/Diagnostics: Itin hasIndia”, geared “ up -19various Task Science Force” Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Director Ministries,etc. to fight againstDepartments the pandemic. and General,by NRDC CSIR was andlaunched Secretary by funding organisations to battle • Real-time PCT Test Kit th May, 2020. Government of India aimed at Dr.DSIR, Shekhar Govt. of C. India, Mande at acclaimedCSIR HQs, • Chip based RTPCR Test Kit this pandemic with all its might. New Delhi on 6 screening and early detection of • Paper based Testing Assay SARS-CoV-2 infections accurately, and his team for this initiative for Detection device and rapid drug repurposing, Dr. H. Purushotham, CMD, NRDC • Reverse Transcriptase Loop providing training to young the benefit of public at large. microbiologists on Covid-19 I complement the National • Treatment Probe Free & DetectionPreventive Assay diagnostics and developing drugs and vaccines. Many creative, Players mainly comprises of Innovation System/Triple Helix. • Mist Sanitizer System

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 67 combating technologies. This changed daily activities and

• Personal Protective Equipment innovators to scale-up their lab- will support researchers and businesses. New patterns of • Nasal Gel scale and proof of concept stage and expectations have emerged technologies to commercial scale duringconsumer this and crisis. worker behaviour • Disinfection Walkway for combating COVID-19. During the post-COVID-19, • Portable Isolation Chamber NRDC received about 60 NRDC has been and shall • Fifatrol enquiries for the technology be playing a catalytic role connecting the innovations that • Drugs & Vaccines in Clinical transfer of technologies listed in Favipiravir Chloroquine or are being developed by various Trials Stage: ACQH, MW, the compendium like Personal research groups to innovators, approved as preventive entrepreneurs, start-ups and Hydroxychloroquine (ICMR and masks for frontline health medicine) Protection Equipments (PPEs) Corporates for mass production. ventilators and isolation During the COVID-19, NRDC pledged USD 15 chambers,workers, sanitizers,UV sanitisation portable and millionHon’ble as PrimeIndian contributionMinister Shri to disinfecting devices, COVID-19 stakeholders though several the Vaccine alliance GAVI at the probe free and chip based RTPCR has been actively engaged with Global Vaccine Summit hosted diagnostic testing kits, nasal gels, challenges and opportunities, by UK. India has emerged as the immunity boosting and health thewebinars COVID to communicate the global vaccine hub. The six Indian care technologies etc. Many innovation and on the overall companies are in race to make the technology transfer projects Indian economy-19 brought and the strategieson R&D, 1st COVID are in pipeline and discussions to be adopted to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19. -19 vaccine are i.e. (i) laboratories and entrepreneurs The Modi Government launched Zydus Cadila (ii) Bharat Biotech /between start-ups NRDC, / MSMEsscientists / / PSUsR&D (iii) Indian Immunological Ltd., the ambitious “Atmanirbhar (iv) Biological E Ltd. (v) Serum soon go for massive technology self-reliant India. This brings lot RKA:Institute of India and (vi) Mynvax. commercialisationare under progress activity. and would ofBharat” opportunities which envisages for indigenous building in the direction spelt out in the development of technologies Compendium? How far has NRDC travelled NRDC has already transferred the and their subsequent transfer to technology for mass production industry. Dr. Purushotham: Most of these technologies compiled in untapped using SSMMS fabric the compendium are proof-of- PPEsof the to first six breathable,companies. uncoatedThe PPE Moreover, the new Science, help the entrepreneurs to take Indian Navy and IPR’s protection bringsTechnology lot andof opportunitiesInnovation (STI) to concept (POC) tested and can technology was developed by the product to market faster as NRDCpolicy towhich implement is on the the anvil,STI policy. also they do not have to reinvent the Ministry of Defence and NRDC. Considering its vast and diverse were facilitated by IPFC-DGQA- experience of over more than six related to PPEs, diagnostics and RKA: What role do you envisage decades on innovation promotion, wheel. Several of the technologies testing of COVID-19 compiled in for NRDC in the present and post NRDC shall play a major role in the compendium are approved COVID-19 scenario? promoting commercialisation by ICMR. of the indigenous innovative Dr. Purushotham: COVID-19 technologies. NRDC has launched scheme pandemic has profoundly for funding of scaling up and commercialisation of COVID-19 people on the planet. It has and international opportunities influenced the lives of most In view of the emerging national

68 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 in the innovation space, caused by COVID-19 in terms of particularly post COVID-19, health and economic challenges. rigorous evaluation processes NRDC is expected to play an R&D projects have shortened the effective role in implementing the govt. policies and leverage reality, data modelling, ofwithout entrepreneurs losing focusand businesson the the market opportunities for its automationArtificial intelligence,and virtualdata modelsquality ofhave evaluation, emerged ato new leverage class management technologies have the market opportunities. As Shri also played a critical role in Amitab Khant, CEO, NITI Aayog RKA:robust growth. COVID-19- everything from tracking the said “Thanks to the Covid-19 induced crises by turned outbreak and providing scenario into anHow advantage can the in terms of planning, to helping quickly build technological innovations? medical devices, repurposing 10,000pandemic crores a hasnew popped market up of vaccine candidates and even estimated to be worth of at least Dr. Purushotham: Coronavirus viable treatment and applying from nowhere in two months in rapid technological dissemination thesupport ICT forplat researchform technologies in finding Furthermore,India”. due to geopolitical andsparked advancements a wave of innovation in India. and and innovations are going to play changes and disruptions in Across the country, scientists, a major role in the time to come. the supply chains particularly students, entrepreneurs from China, many developed and innovators have quickly RKA: What are the opportunities economies like USA, Europe, responded to the challenge and challenges COVID-19 brought Japan, and Australia are looking posed by COVID-19 and devised to the National Innovation System for establishing global supply to help overcome the pandemic. towards India as a destination Evennew apps,educational robots and ventilatorsinstitutes Dr.(NIS)? Purushotham: As highlighted above the COVID-19 has Missionchains ofwhich Govt. ofcan India. contribute engineering and medical young impacted severely on the health significantly to the Make in India talenthaving consideredthe wealth this of challenge trained of the public and economy of the To overcome the ill-effects of nations across the globe in more COVID-19, the Govt. of India has than 215 countries, and national as opportunity and worked with resources.frugal innovation mindset to find ecosystem are no exception. Due launched a flagship programme hacks to problems with limited R&D, innovation and startups self“Atamnirbhar reliant India. Bharat”, In building under self which it is envisaged to build a to lockdowns, the supply chains entrepreneurship and start-ups isAs expertssuccessfully say we needdeveloped. to live were broken, liquidity of fund reliant India, R&D, innovation Thiswith coronavirusuncertainty until and a vaccinecrises Duegot disrupted,to COVID institutions were the future for National Innovation the humanity is currently ofclosed, life is beingmarkets evolving. were Allclosed. these will have to play a major role and facing can only be solved challenges could-19, only a newbe solvednorm through application of Science, by leveraging Science, Technology System (NIS) is very bright. Technology and Innovation. the past. The researchers and governments and Innovation as was done in In my opinion, COVID-19 has continuing their efforts to come improved enormously the across the globe will be R.K. Anthwal and sustainable solutions for system. For example, the govt. Sr. Editor, Invention Intelligence combatingout with effectivethe global innovation crises departmentsefficiencies of nationalfunding innovationCOVID-19 E-mail: [email protected]

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 69 Viruses and Their Invisible World: Some Glimpses Dr. SUBODH MAHANTI

We are living in unprecedented troubled times as the global COVID-19 pandemic rages on. A virus, named SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), has caused the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has not only spread far and wide, but it continues to spread even further. There is no doubt that it will leave a huge footprint. Viruses are responsible for many deadly diseases. The study of viruses, which are classified as non-living, began more than 100 years ago but their origins are still unclear. Viruses are parasitic in nature and they cannot reproduce on their own, yet they have persisted and diversified for billions of years. They are not part of the evolutionary tree of life. Viruses are among the smallest pathogens; they are invisible. They spread in many ways. Dealing with deadly viruses remains a major challenge for humankind. Today, in view of the ongoing pandemic, it has become important to understand what viruses are and how they work.

iruses are by far the most Viruses are invisible to the naked Acanthamoeba polyphaga Vabundant biological entities eye. They even cannot be seen mimivirus — APMV). The virus on Earth. So far about 5,000 has( a total particle diameter of different viruses have been are visible only under electron approximately 750 nanometer. A described in detail. The concept microscope.with an ordinary Most microscope viruses andare second strain of the Mimivirus, of virus as a distinct entity dates approximately one hundred back to the 1890s. times smaller than an average may be even larger. Mimivirus bacterium. Viruses range in size containspresently more known than as 900‘Mamavirus’, protein- Viruses may be seen as the ‘dark from about 20 to 300 nanometres coding genes. Its genome is -9 metre). A They have managed to maintain typical bacterium has a matter’ of the biological world. E. Coli their existence for billions of diameter(1 nanometre of 1,000 = 10nanometres. itstwice genome as big isas bigger that anythan of thatthe ofother many known . viruses. ScientistsIn fact, carry genetic information from Some viruses may be much believe that studying the genes theyears past, without reproduce being alive.in livingThey bigger than the usual ones. One hosts and they evolve through of the largest and most complex natural selection. viruses to date is the Mimivirus tofound understand within thethe evolutionaryMimivirus genome will not only help them

70 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 3. The Virus-first Hypothesis According to this hypothesis, viruses existed before or co-:

theirevolved hosts. with So, their viruses cellular may beorganisms, considered which as relics acted of pre-as cellular life forms.

David R. Wessner of the Department of Biology, Davidson College, North Carolina, USA, in his article entitled “The Origins Nature Education thatof Viruses” no single published hypothesis in may be correct. (2010),It might hasbe possibleargued that viruses originated multiple times via multiple mechanisms

evolution(https://www.nature.com). of viruses remains Ina fascinatingview of above, subject. the studyIt may of alsothe

question of the origin of life itself. throw some light on the very How much do you know about Viruses? The name ‘virus’ is derived from history of the Mimivirus but it Tracing the origins of viruses liquid’ or ‘poison’. In early years is not an easy task. They do not the Greek word meaning ‘slimy some light on the question leave fossils behind them. The ofwill evolutionaryalso help them history in throwing of all origins of viruses are yet to be of their discovery, viruses were fully understood. Presently there referred to as ‘filterable agents’. observed in 1992 by a research are three main hypotheses to In those days, the term ‘filterable teamviruses. headed The Mimivirus by Bernard was firstLa agent’ was used to refer to a Scola and Didier Raoult, but the couldgerm, removewhich wasother able large to germs pass researchers thought that they had explain1. The theProgressive origin of viruses:or Escape likethrough bacteria a filtering and parasites. device thatThe discovered another pneumonia- Hypothesis hypothesis, viruses originated to describe any infectious agent. from genetic: According elements to thatthis term ‘virus’ was originally used theycausing had bacterium. discovered However, in 1992 in had acquired the ability to 2003, they showed that what move from cell to cell. Subsequently the term ‘virus’ was a bacterium. The discovery of theirrestricted reproduction. to ‘filterable agents’, 2. The Regressive or Reductive thewas, Mimivirus, in fact, a giant is an virus interesting and not which required a living host for Hypothesis A virus is a nanoparticle of this hypothesis, viruses are biological origin. A virus particle After Mimivirus, virologists have remnants of :cellular According organisms to episode of scientific inquiry. consists of a protein shell and discovered much larger viruses and they became parasitic to persist over time. virion. The core contains nucleic namely, Megavirus (2011) and an inner core, which is called Pandoravirus (2013). March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 71 presence or absence of lipid acid, which may be ribonucleic AmericanViroids were plant discovered pathologist. in 1971 • membrane. Virus structure, e.g., the aacid virus (RNA) that orprotects deoxyribonucleic its genetic by Theodor Otto Diener, a Swiss- acid (DNA). The protein shell of Viruses outnumber all other material from the outside is as genetic material, e.g., DNA entities put together. There are • Type of nucleic acid they carry billions and billions of viruses viruses, RNA viruses, and core is responsible for infectivity. reverse transcribing viruses. Theknown protein as .shell orThe capsid virion of on Earth. To give an idea of unbelievable number of individual Viruses are not included in the evolutionary tree of life, as they The capsid of a virus is made fromthe virion proteins confers encoded it specificity. by the quote Dirk Schulze-Makuch of theviruses Technical present University on Earth, Berlin, we cells. Further, there is not a single viral genome. A viral capsid has do not share characteristics with regularly arranged subunits Germany, from his article “There are more viruses on Earth than all viruses or viral lineages. As called capsomeres. Capsomeres viral gene, which is common to are self-assembled to form the common origin but viruses seem capsid. Some virions may have an Air & there are stars in the Universe: towe knowhave cellularmultiple life evolutionary has a single, additional protection in the form Space Magazine And yes, they are alive” ( origins. The evolutionary tree of of lipid membrane. “It is estimated that there are 10 viruses for , every17 March bacterium 2020): life underlines the relationship are similar to a virus but on Earth. Viruses outnumber among various biological groups, they are not virus. Viroids are the stars by a factor of 10 million. To put it on a more conceivable viruses. scale, it has been estimated which does not apply in case of viruses.smallest pathogensViroids cause known. certain They that every day, more than 700 are smaller than any of the known and genera based on their plant diseases, for example, million viruses, mainly of marine structuralViruses are classifiedconsiderations. into families The potato spindle tuber disease. A origin, are deposited from Earth’s Encyclopaedia Britannica consists of a short strand atmosphere onto every square “The criteria used for classifying of a single-stranded RNA. Unlike viruses into families and generastates: viruses, viroids do not have a are primarily based on three protein coat. So far viroids have metre of our planet’s surface.” not been found in animal cells. (https://www.airspacemag,com)The branch of science that studies viruses is called virology and the the type and size of their nucleic structural considerations: (1) are called virologists. Virology acid, (2) the shape and size of isscientists a branch who ofstudy microbiology. virology a lipid envelope, derived from the hostcapsids, cell and surrounding (3) the presence the viral of important branch of virology. Classification of viruses is an britannica.com) nucleocapsid.” (https://www. There are many ways to classify The International Committee viruses based on: on Taxonomy of Viruses, in its , , 2005 report, listed 5,450 viruses, • Host cells they infect, e.g., organised in over 2,000 species, infect bacteria), and fungal 287 genera, 73 families and 3 viruses. (viruses that orders. Coronaviruses belong to the coronaviridae family in the Nidovirales Order. The sub- • Geometrical shape of their groups of coronaviruses are polygons.capsid e.g., Helix (rod-shaped) called alpha, beta, gamma and Theodor Otto Diener or icosahedron (20-sided)

72 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Gary Whittaker of the Cornell are alive or not. Viruses have It is often asked whether viruses alive. Some of the common University, USA says of virus: characteristicsnot been classified or asfunctions being Further“It’s switching he says betweenthat virus alive is of living organisms are order, and not alive in its existence”. metabolic activities, sensitivity thatsomewhere viruses should“between be treatedchemistry as fourthand biology.” domain It ofhas life, been the argued other to the environment, growth and three domains being eukaryotes livingdevelopment, systems homeostasistend to maintain (self- regulating process by which June Almeida optimal survival conditions) and (eukarya), bacteria and . energystability processing.while adjusting Viruses doto are alive or not-alive, Luis P. VillarrealOn the issue of the of whetherCenter for viruses Virus activities and they cannot make Research at the University of not grow; they have no metabolic California, Irvine, USA, in his all living beings are made of cells;their ownthey energy.may be As unicellularwe know, Scientific American, article “Are Viruses Alive?” in or multicellular and cell is an wrote: “For essential component of our community has repeatedly changedabout 100 its years,collective the mind scientific over living it must be made up of cells. Virusesdefinition have of life.no cells.Something to be poisons, then as life forms, then biologicalwhat viruses chemicals, are. First seenviruses as It seems viruses exist at the today are thought of as being in

David Tyrell life. One may say that viruses are non-living; they cannot replicate ‘atborder the edgebetween of life’. life Itand has non-also a grey area between living and delta. Coronavirus got its name been said of viruses that they truly living cells and can also affecton their the behaviourown but can of their do sohosts in its outer surface. The name from its crown-like spikes on lead ‘a kind of borrowed life.’

‘coronavirus’ was derived from Latin ‘corona’ meaning ‘crown’ or ‘korone’‘wreath’. Themeaning Latin term‘garland’ ‘corona’ or in turn was borrowed from Greek

‘wreath’. The name ‘coronavirus’ personswas coined to bystudy June coronaviruses. Almeida and CoronavirusesDavid Tyrell, who are minutewere the in firstsize contain a single-stranded RNA as a(65-125 nucleic nmmaterial, in diameter) size ranging and from 26 to 32 kilobase pairs or is equal 1,000 base pairs of RNA kbs in length. (One kilobase pair or DNA). A tobacco plant infected by

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 73 coursefrom them,of evolution, we observehave created the theunits successful and process genetic which, patterns in the

considerthat underlie viruses all to beliving alive, cells” it is Regardless of whether or not we them in their natural context — time to acknowledge and study researchers should seriously ponderwithin the over web ofthe life”. Ourprophetic young comments of Villarreal. Adolf Eduard Mayer, who first studied Charles Chamberland, whose porcelain the tobacco mosaic virus disease filtering device made it possible to in detail and paved the way for the isolate viruses discovery of viruses The first virus was discovered 1892,in 1892. the ItRussian was a botanistplant virus Dmitri — peculiar disease affecting the profoundly. The characterisation Iosifovichtobacco mosaic Ivanovsky virus (TMV).observed In of viruses as non-living during that the agent causing tobacco much of the modern era of mosaic disease could pass though tobacco mosaicplant for disease the first played time. an biological science has had an importantHis pioneering role inworks the discovery on the of viruses, including the tobacco led most researchers to ignore porcelain filters used for retaining unintended consequence: it has realise that he had discovered the mosaic virus. viruses in the study of evolution. bacteria. However, he did not infectious agent discovered by beginning to appreciate viruses first virus. Ivanovsky called the Ivanovsky had been invented by Finally, however, scientists are him ‘contagium vivium fluidum’ as fundamental players in CharlesThe filtering Chamberland device inused 1884. by believed that the infectious agent (‘contagious living fluid’). He history of life.” (https://www. SeptemberChamberland 1895), worked the withcelebrated Louis scientificamerican.com, the in December 2004 issue of the wasIn 1898,liquid inafter nature. independently FrenchPasteur biologist,(27 December microbiologist 1822-28 article was originally published Scientific American). Further, replicating Ivanovsky’s in the same article Villarreal experiments, the Dutch microbiologist and botanist usedand chemist. to completely The filter remove developed all They are constantly changing came to the by Chamberland, which could be wrote: “Viruses matter to life. conclusion that the agent causing also called the Chamberland- bacteria known at the time, was boundary between the worlds of continue to unravel the genomes could not be retained by the biology and biochemistry. As we of more and more organisms, tobacco mosaic disease, which sizePasteur of 0.1-1 filter. micron The filter or 100-1000consisted the contributions from this nanometer.unglazed porcelain with pore dynamic and ancient gene pool porcelain filters, was a new form should become apparent. Nobel ‘virus’.of infectious Beijerinck agent. Hesubsequently called it a Laureate Salvador Luria mused acceptedvirus; he Ivanovsky’swas the first priority to call ofit virologist Wendell M. Stanley, It was American biochemist and the discovery. TMV for electron microscopic about the viral influence on It should be noted here that who succeeded in crystallising evolution in 1959. “May we Adolf Eduard Mayer, a German that TMV maintained its infecting cellularnot feel”, genome he wrote, and “that redeeming in the agricultural chemist, studied the studies. He also demonstrated virus, in their merging with the power even after crystallisation. 74 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 bacteriologist Frederick William

theTwort. bacterium He discovered Staphylococcus that that a filterable infectious agent caused

agent.’he was Whilegrowing he to demonstratedlyse or burst thatopen. the He agent named could it ‘bacteriolyticpass through

virus.porcelain Subsequently filters, inhe 1917,did Felixnot conclusively state that it was a microbiologist, demonstrated thatd’Herelle, a virus a lysedFrench-Canadian a bacterial agent Shigella Dmitri Iosifovich Ivanovsky, who Martinus Willem Bijerinck, who human dysentery or diarrhoea. discovered the first virus tobacco independently replicated Ivanovsky’s , which caused mosaic virus experiments and called the infectious agent earlier discovered by Ivanovsky He called the virus Irish scientist James Desmond a virus (eaterIn February of bacteria). 2020, the discovery Fankuchen, obtained clear and South America. It spreads announced. Jonatas Abrahao, X-rayBernal diffraction and his imagesco-worker, of theI. to humans by mosquito. Max aof a virologistnew and enigmaticat the virusFederal was crystallised TMV in 1941. The full Theiler, a South African-American University of Minas Gerais, Belo virologist, received the 1951 in 1955 by the English chemist Nobel Prize in Physiology or he had discovered a virus from andstructure crystallographer of TMV was proposedRosalind Medicine for his discovery of an theHorizonte, Lake Pampulha Brazil, thatreported had genes that Franklin. never seen before. The virus has fever in 1937. effective vaccine against yellow been named Yaravirus after Yara, discovered in 1898 by the the Water Queen, according to The first animal virus was Brazilian mythology based on discoveredThe first in bacterium-infecting1915 by the English ancient Tupi-Guarani mythology. two German bacteriologists virus or bacteriophage was Friedrich Loeffler and Paul farmFrosch. and The other virus animals.was Foot Many and considerMouth Disease that true Virus discoverers (FMDV) of theya virus proposed were Loeffler that the and infectious Frosch. This is because for the first time a liquid infectious agent. agent was a tiny particle and not

The first human virus to be bydiscovered the US was Army the yellowpathologist fever andvirus bacteriologist in 1901. It was Walter discovered Reed. Friedrich Loeffler (L) and Paul Frosch, (R) who discovered the first animal virus and subtropical areas of Africa Foot and Mouth Disease Virus The virus was found in tropical

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 75 Walter Reed, who discovered the first Max Theiler, who discovered an Frederick William Twort, who human virus — Yellow Fever Virus effective vaccine against Yellow Fever discovered the first bacteriophage Virus The discovery of the enigmatic The life cycle of a virus can be virus has demonstrated that within a host cell. metabolism. divided1. Attachment into five broad steps: for scientists in the invisible • They cannot carry out there are many surprises waiting recognises and binds to a host : The virus ribosome, the essential cell. To achieve this, proteins worldThere of isviruses. a great diversity • component No known of virusa cell’s containsprotein- on the surface of the virus among viruses. They exhibit making machinery. extreme variations in size and molecules on the host cell. This Viruses infect all living things interact with specific receptor of different viruses vary — plants, animals, bacteria, range, that is, the range of cell considerably.shape. Reproductive Viruses pathways have , fungi, amoeba, typesspecificity and hostdetermines species the a virus host different levels of infectiousness can infect. and virulence. Some viruses have similarand archaeato bacteria, (single-celled they form 2. Entry with structure have DNA genomes. Some viruses the third domain of life). Viruses or the genome of the virus : The genetic material haveRNA genomessingle-stranded while some genomes, others can infect humans in several enters the host cell. After a some have double-stranded and virus enters the host cell, the some others have both double- viral capsid is removed and ways, for example, through air stranded and single-stranded degraded by viral or host (coughing and sneezing); via segments. through transmission of body enzymes to release the viral carrier insects (mosquitoes); and genetic material, a process It may be noted that despite their It has been suggested that some called uncasing. great diversity, viruses have some virusesfluids (saliva, can alsoblood, infect or semen). other viruses. 3. Replication and gene expression common features: viral genome is copied and small in size. more viral proteins: In this arestep made the • They are usually extremely If we want to know what really through gene expression happens in the time between the encoded in their nucleic acid, to make it possible to viral infection and release of new • but They theycarry cangenetic replicate information only to look at the life cycle of a virus. virus particles (virions), we need assemble new virus particles. 76 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Most of the machinery for to cell’s usual material. The genome replication and gene immune system also kicks into That respiration annihilates expression are taken from the effectivelyrespiration aboutof marinethree gigatons flora. host cell. by producing antibodies that of carbon every year from the bindgear towhen the itvirus identifies and render a virus it 4. Assembly: This step involves unable to replicate. The immune are being developed as tools for system also releases T-cells, constructiveatmosphere. Significantly,modern medicine viruses particles. The process of assembling of new virus assembling is also referred to Antibiotics have no effect on as maturation. which work to kill the virus. org)as well as the critical field of provide immunity. Unfortunately nanotechnology.” (https://eof. 5. Release forviruses, humans, though some vaccinations viral infections will Mario Mietzsch and Mavis virus particles are released Agbandje-McKenna in their from the: hostThe cell. newly This stepmade is outpace the immune system. also called . Viruses can evolve much more quickly than the immune system Annual Review write-up entitled “The Good that Treating viral infection has of Virology Viruses Do” in in uninterrupted reproduction. have reported that virotherapy (September 2017), a challenging affair. Scientists can, which gives them a leg up areproved yet toto bedevelop tricky anas effectivewell as using viruses) “has become the (the ability to treat diseases treatment for the ongoing Some viruses, such as HIV, subject of intensive research in COVID-19 or means to prevent Edmondswork essentially in “What isby a virus,tricking and it from further spreading. the immune system…” (Molly used to cure cancer, to correct recent years”. Viruses may be Antibiotics cannot be used for treating viral infections. how does it become a danger pathogenic viral infection. They genetic disorders or to fight Some antiviral medicines have to human life?”, https://science. can be used in many genetic been used to treat certain howstuffworks.com)There is a bright side of viruses. studies to determine molecular viral infections. To prevent Sometimes they do good things. mechanisms. It has been reported diseases caused by viruses and that viruses can increase drought other pathogens, vaccines are on viruses for the Encyclopedia tolerance in some plants, and they As C. Michael Holgan, writing designed. A vaccine trains the of Earth can also be used as insecticides. immune system of human body , of which he served as to recognise and combat viruses common concept of viruses org) focussesan Editor-in-Chief, on their role wrote: as pathogen. “The (https://www.annualreviewes. Actually, there are vast numbers strategies are adopted to produce T-cell lymphotropic virus) has (and other pathogens). Multiple vaccines. The human immune comeThe virus to ournamed aid HTLVto study (Human pre- of viral entities that are beneficial historic migration patterns. This cells and proteins that mounts a providing ecosystem services. system is a complex network of Forto individual example, speciesa class asof wellviruses as defence against any infection. The for thousands of years. human body has some natural virus has coevolved with humans defence against viruses. As Molly a spectrum of harmful bacteria, When a virus reaches a living known as bacteriophages can kill providing protection to human host, it uses its surface proteins to enter its cells and once inside doesEdmonds have someof naturalHowStuffWorks defences key in the carbon cycle, their role a cell it takes control of the cell’s as well as other biota. Viruses are againstarticles, awrites: virus. “TheA cell human can initiate body in ocean biochemistry includes molecular machinery to produce microbiological metabolic — and assemble the materials including decomposition — needed for its multiplication. A RNA interference when it detects processes. It is this decomposition virus occupying a host cell can virus’viral infection,genetic material which inworks relation by that stimulates carbon dioxide make 10,000 copies of itself decreasing the influence of the

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 77 in a matter of an hour. A virus leading to unnecessary suffering Re, April 14, 2020, multiplies faster than any other cebm.net). According to Aronson, living organism. In the process of Brassey and Mahtani,https://www. the basic incredible quick multiplication, andThe death.”basic reproduction reproduction number of a virus is ), also called basic viruses make frequent mistakes 0 reproduction rate, or ratio of number (R their genetic information and affected by the following factors: , Jeffrey people at the beginning and they(mutations) rapidly changewhile theircopying forms 0 a virus decides how fast it will • the The populationproportion density of susceptible through these mutations. For K. Aronson, John Brassey and spread. Defining the R example, scientists at the Kamal R. Mahtani of the Centre National Institute of Biomedical for Evidence-Based Medicine, Genomics, Kalyani, West Bengal, • The infectiousness of the virus cases by recovery or death have found that SARS-CoV-2 has Nuffield Department of Primary • The rate of disappearance of undergone mutations to form 10 The number of people in a Care Health Sciences, Oxford , 30 The Hindu University, UK, wrote: “The basic April 2020) as the number of cases that are by an infected individual at any different types. ( expectedreproduction to occur number on averageis defined in population who can be infected The spread of SARS-CoV-2 a homogeneous population as e). a result of infection by a single specific time is called the effective demonstrated the extent of reproductionIt is not uncommon number for (R a virus to damagethroughout a virusthe canworld do. hasTo is susceptible at the start of an jump species to infect humans. individual, when the population In fact, they regularly jump their mentally prepared and for it, it is immunity starts to develop and natural host species to infect handle a pandemic, we must be beforeepidemic, any beforeattempt widespreadhas been made at immunization. So if one may not be dangerous — they important to know what a virus person develops humans. However, most of them can do and what it cannot do. As the infection and onTedros COVID-19 Adhanom, on 11 WHO March Director 2020, General, in the media briefing others, R0 is 2. If passes it on to two the number of cases of COVID-19 the average R0 in outsidedeclared: China “In the has past increased two weeks, 13- the population fold, and the number of affected is greater than countries has tripled. There are 1, the infection

114 countries, and 4,291 people exponentially. If now more than 118,000 cases in will spread R0 is less than been assessing this outbreak 1, the infection have lost their lives… WHO has concerned both by the alarming levelsround ofthe spread clock and and we severity, are deeply and eventuallywill spread die onlyout. by the alarming levels of inaction. Theslowly, higherand it willthe

We have therefore made the value of R0, the assessment that COVID-19 can faster an epidemic be characterised as a pandemic.

will progress.” Pandemic is not a word to use (“When will it Cover page of a book by Dr. Susan Nasif, a virologist, that, if misused, can cause Introduction to who has founded Cimaza an initiative on vaccine and lightly or carelessly. It is a word viralbe over?”:reproduction An virus disease education of children and the general public through comics numbers R0 and unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over, 78 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 may not be transmissible among Anand Pandian, of the Johns host’s cell. If your hands come humans or they do not cause diseases. The ongoing COVID-19 also pointed out that zoonotic pandemic has demonstrated that Hopkins University, USA, has throughin contact your with nosethe virusor mouthit can enter the airways of your lungs has happened. todiseases humans) (diseases are triggeredtransmitted by outbreak of a new human virus ecologicalbetween species instability. — from animalsIn his So,(or theyeven needthrough to beyour removed eyes) It has been pointed out that human article, entitled “Staying at home beforewhen yourthey gethands inside touch your them.body. activities like deforestation, road The Disinfectants, soap and alcohol- building, mining, exploitation of Hindu containing liquid, gel and paste on planet “Epidemic earth” published diseases in like are being used to kill or remove habitat and other ecological (14 April 2020), Pandian the probable coronaviruses. wildlife, encroachment of wildlife disturbances have enhanced the Ebolawrites: are zoonotic, crossing to During the present pandemic, humansCOVID-19, from avian otherinfluenza animals. and people have been advised again They are often sparked by chance of virus residing in wild humans and infect them. As T.V. ecological instability, by the to get rid of the coronavirus. It animals coming in contact with Sajeev, former Coordinator, Asia- destruction of natural habitats and again to wash their hands and cramming of animals into can remove the coronavirus from and Senior Principal Scientist, is interesting to know how we Pacific Invasive Species Network Kerala Forest Research Institute inhabitable factory farms. They soap. in his article, “Invasive, alien, wildlife markets and scarcely our hands by washing them with The Hindu of a crisis of homelessness in Viruses are self-assembled nano are symptoms, in other words, particles. SARS-CoV-2, like some invasivemost fearsome” alien speciesin remain other viruses — namely Ebola, unproblematic(15 April 2020) in theirwrites: land “Allof the animal world, magnified by global networks “In April of 1970,trade cause hepatitis B and hepatitis C limit their population increase. and resource exploitation.” He Zika, dengue, HIV, the viruses that origin where natural enemies byfurther a photograph writes: from Apollo-8, have an additional lipid envelop. and influenza-causing viruses — anthe image first Earthof the Day Earth was as inspireda fragile But when a species arrives at a control of its natural enemies blue ball in the vastness of a potassium fatty acids salts) are new location, it escapes from the Soap molecules (sodium or and its population explodes. space. Many hoped this vision of a In the case of SARS-CoV-2, the pin-shaped, each of which has a individual body of each and every environmental consciousness hydrophilic or water-loving head host is a landscape in itself. Unlike andvulnerable bring worlda planetary would catalysehealing, which readily bonds with water dissipating the rancour of social and a hydrophobic or water- virus jumped from bats to civet and political antagonism. As the in the case of SARS, where the hating tail which tries to keep cats to humans, the intermediate 50th anniversary of this moment host for SARS-CoV-2 remains away from water and prefers to tie up with oils and fats. When edging even closer to ecological you wash your hands with soap immunity against the pathogen. catastrophe.nears, in 2020, And we seemyet to thebe unknown. The host is devoid of and water, then coronaviruses With no prior exposure to it and alternative remains, the chance surrounded by soap molecules. present on your hands will be no antibodies, the body initiates to take the Earth itself as a place a violent response against the the soap molecules try to keep Now, as the hydrophobic tails of

of collective shelter.” , 14(Anand April new intruder, which could prove The Hindu away from the water molecules, 2020)Pandian, “Staying at Home on envelopes of the coronaviruses. spread.fatal... OneThe wayidea ofof controllingimposing Planet Earth”, Andthey in wedgedoing so,into they thetear apartlipid biological invasion is to slow the Viruses can remain active hours the lipid envelopes and the or even days outside their capsid is destroyed. This means lockdowns originated from this logic of slowing the spread.” March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 79 virus falls apart like a ‘house of outbreak of a in humankind by a virus. As Claus cards’. As a result, it becomes much broader perspective. The Wilke of the University of Texas, inactive and its components are increasingly visible connections University of Colorado Boulders, also attack and break apart the new discipline will focus on ‘the USA and Sara Sawyer of the proteinwashed envelop.away by A water. sanitizer Alcohols to be other living things and entire viruses drive evolution and effective it must have at least 60 ecosystem.’among the well-beingThe concept of humans,of ‘One adaptationUSA, while incommenting human and on other how per cent alcohol. as a response to global disease outbreaksHealth’, which in 2007, was recommendedis also gaining bears,mammalian sit masterfully genomes, above ussaid: on technology) has no substitute in the“[Viruses], food chain not oflions, life, occupyingtigers or It is a fact that science (including Participation of people is importance. The One Health prey on everything and are alsofighting an importantagainst deadly factor viruses. Initiative Task Force (OHITF), a role as alpha predators who and, at times, the most The Scientist, preyed upon by nothing.” com).(Quoted While from it is true that cancrucial be factor.ensured However, only modernhttps://www.the-scientist. molecular methods ifwilling people participation can be have revolutionised virus discovery, surveillance, and diagnostics, these are more scientifically proving to be inadequate microbiologyaware. They needaffects to humanhave an health.idea of howOur like SARS-CoV-2. The virus young science students hasto deal clearly with ademonstrated deadly virus and researchers should have clear idea about the problems that the enemythe world’s before inability it toleaves deal life sciences currently itswith devastatingthe deadly, invisiblemarks. face so that they can There is no doubt that take up the challenges. We need established by the American virologists, pharmacologists, Veterinary Medical Association in health professionals, biologists, society in real earnest. Dealing and researchers from other to promote scientific temper in as ‘the collaborative efforts of 2006, defined One Health concept with new virus onslaught locally, nationally, and globally, to multi-prongedscientific disciplines effort to fromstop theall will be much easier if we attainmultiple optimal disciplines health forworking people, deathlyover the march world ofhave the mountedvirus. It isa of‘think misinformationscientifically andthrough act animals and our environment.’ hoped, science and scientists socialscientifically’. media needsExcessive to be curbed.spread Science communicators have Taming SARS-CoV-2 has proved against the virus. to be one of the greatest will eventually win in their fight challenges faced by humankind many challenges to cope with. in recent years. At this stage it Dr. Subodh Mahanti The World Health Organisation (formerly Scientist ‘G’ and (WHO) calls the spread of Hony. Director, Vigyan Prasar, DST, Government of India) misinformation as “Infodemic.” cannot be said with certainty be halted. As stated earlier, the D-410, Crescent Apartment discipline called Planetary when the march of the virus will Plot No. 2, Sector 18A, Dwarka In recent years, a new scientific science. Moreover, this may not New Delhi-110 078 enable scientists to visualise befinal the solution last onslaughthas to come against from E-mail: [email protected] Health has emerged. This will 80 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 History of Pandemics Dr. ARCHITA BHATTA

The uneasy marriage of pandemics and virus has continued undetected for a long time in the past. Science and technology progressed after the discovery of the Tobacco Mosaic Virus. It helped identify many a pandemic in the history of mankind to a variety of viral entities. The pandemic of 1918 was a milestone in specimen collection and tracing the source of the disease. The article chronicles the progress in the study of pandemics, the mechanism of their infection and how coronaviruses have stood out getting their notoriety etched in history.

Discovery of virus be enormous and several cases

little more than 120 years tobacco mosaic disease were still coming from the animal reservoir A before the novel coronavirus candleinfectious that after retained filtration bacteria.through haveof human been observed.infection withThe reasonsviruses brought life to a standstill in large a Chamberland-Pasteur filter- for transmission of viruses from chanced upon a pathogen that animal to human are many. Loss of human beings face the choice Little did they know that they had parts of the world and made

could change the way in which climatictheir wild conditions,habitats due resultto cutting in bybetween the microscopic life and entitieslivelihood, that people saw diseases, got treated down of forests and change of discolouredthree scientists tobacco were leaves intrigued and and ultimately how people lived. Virus and pandemics often near human settlements. Intensivetheir movement animal to newhusbandry, habitats, 1892 and 1898, Adolf Mayer, such as poultry farming and damaged the plants. Between Dmitri Ivanovsky and Martinus pig farming, increase the risk of Many wild animals host viruses Beijerinck demonstrated that them. The animal reservoir for migration of viruses from animals which may not be pathogenic to to human hosts, thus leading extracts from leaves infected with influenza viruses is known to

Spanish flu is the most documented pandemic in history

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 81 to zoonotic diseases. Other hotspots of transmission may months or years before the start deadly H1N1 virus took several try and find the reason behind are slaughtered in unhygienic suspected of being the site of its lethality. These showed conditions.be wet markets Transmission where animals of of the outbreak. Two places are similarities with avian viruses as zoonotic diseases like Ebola has hypothesis involves the province detectedwell as signatures in material of mammalian collected been attributed to practices like ofemergence Canton in ofChina, the virus.later spreading The first frominfluenza. casualty Sequences cases ofof thethe 1918virus to the US due to immigration. mobility of humans, food, livestock The second possibility is that binding site intermediate andeating other wildlife. goods Easy escalates modern-day the the virus originated from the influenza revealed a receptor speed of transmission. United States. Movement of troops due to the First World The Spanish flu: War served as a driver for the spread of the virus. While A milestone in information about the infection pandemic history

was censored by countries which occurred in 1918 has been one The “Spanish flu” which were involved; in Spain which was also hit by the pandemic pandemics in history. The death of the most well documented and was not at war, information was freely available. The Spanish 50 million including 12 million toll estimated globally was 40- newspapers openly described the in India. Around 500 million to epidemic, which led to the name “Spanish flu”. The King of Spain representing approximately by the virus. 1 billion people were infected, and his court were severely hit population. The emergence and Reconstruction and protein 30-50 per cent of the world’s subsequent adaptation of the Epidemics by Hippocrates analysis of the virus was done to 82 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 France to escape Reconstruction of the 1918 influenza virus the disease. Since A C G T then, infections started in southern France, causing numerous deaths, Gene sequencing Generate rescue plasmids particularly of Lung tissues from 1918 pandemic victims the elderly. The disease seems to have originated in China, spread to Russia, and Infectious 1918 virus in BSL-3 enhanced lab Reverse genetics CDC Atlanta techniques EM 1918 virus was disseminated Cynthia Goldsmith Europe. It also reachedwestwards the across east Mechanism Reconstruction Needs to be redrawn coast of Northern similar experiences in England. America in the spring of 1781 developingbetween avianmutations and to adapthuman. to and moved westwards. This It seems that the virus was France,A pandemic and Italyof an in influenza-like 1173-1174. responsible for several deaths. illness was observed in England, worldwide pandemic was its new host. History remembers At this time, the word ‘plague’ forIn 1803,numerous a severe deaths. epidemic was pandemics galore was used for every epidemic with seen in France was responsible The second pandemic of the timesignificant to describe mortality. an epidemic The word in In 1837, a French chronicler 1357Influenza in Florence came up in Italy.for the first reported that half of the

20th century was observed 40 Reports from European countries turning Paris into a ‘giant hospital’. population of Paris was in bed, infectedyears after up tothe 500,000 Spanish Chineseflu, in 1957. Termed as the Asian flu, it epidemics occurred in 1658, emanated from Russia reportedly In 1889, a new epidemic which 1679,suggest 1708, that andmassive 1729 influenza starting infected approximately 40 per in Mongolia and Hong Kong, followed by Singapore, and soon Originating in Florence, the 1900, a medium-sized epidemic all of Asia faced the wrath of the in Russia and had three waves. cent of the world’s population. In new pathogen. and is seen in British reports word influenza was widely used ‘mild’was pandemic.observed possibly from H3N8 strain responsible for a studied,While theit had Spanish several pandemicflu and predecessorsits progeny haveclaiming been human well letterof influenza-like to his son in 1767diseases described since Pandemics study 1743. Lord Chesterfield, in a an epidemic in London that “has post 1918 blood in history which have been Lack of specimens makes it Thedifficult bookto crack. Epidemics by the beautiful name influenza and Inkills 1775, only elderlyreports people”.from a French subtypes responsible for difficult to ascertain the influenza contagious disease observed Hippocrates described a highly cold of epidemic proportions pandemics before 1918. The first thatdoctor started wrote in Londonabout a and common led to in vitro influenza viruses to be cultivated Thein northernyear AD 664Greece brings whose up movement of people to southern symptoms resemble influenza. were isolated in 1931 from swine and in 1933 from a March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 83 human specimen. One of these Factors that affect pathogenic routes although other routes early historical strains, a variant mechanisms are accessibility of virus to tissue, cell susceptibility of infection may be determined to virus multiplication, and virus bycan the be doseused. andThe location final outcome of the likeof H1N1 is stillreverse-transcription used for vaccine susceptibility to host defences. production. New technologies virulence. PCR) and reverse genetics have virus as well as its infectivity and beenpolymerase developed chain RT-PCRreaction is(RT- a the virus damages the cell that it After entering the cell, the virus laboratory technique combining infects.There are The several energy waysof the in cell which may has to establish and spread reverse transcription of RNA into be diverted; cell macromolecular itself in the host. The exposure DNA synthesis may be shut off; the to virus and onset of disease DNA targets using polymerase viral mRNA may compete for has a gap period called the chain and reaction amplification of specific cellular ribosomes, the viral incubation period. During this promoters and transcriptional usually asymptomatic period, Reverse genetics (PCR). enhancers may compete for implantation, local multiplication, made possible by recombinant cellular transcriptional factors DNA , a new approach such as RNA polymerases; and the infections) occur. opposite direction to regular interferon defence mechanisms and spread (for disseminated genetics. technology, Reverse geneticsworks in starts the may be inhibited. Indirect While most virus types spread cell damage can result from among cells extracellularly, some there is no genetic information integration of the viral genome, may also spread intracellularly. from a protein or DNA for which induction of mutations in the The most common route of make a mutant gene, ending spread in the human system is and then works backward to the host immune response. host genome, inflammation, and virus reaches via the lymphatic up with a mutant phenotype. system.the circulation In case system, of whichinfections the reconstructionThese technologies of viruseshave allowed from like rabies and herpesvirus, and pathologicalamplification andspecimens subsequently from severalWhich specificfactors —body cell tissuesreceptors a sometimes in polio infections, forvirus the would virus; prefer cell transcriptiondepends on dissemination occurs via nerves. during the 1918 pandemic factors that recognise viral Sometimes the infections are cases that died from influenza promoters and enhancer local, leading to localised disease of the three pandemics of the sequences; ability of the cell to and localised shedding of virus. leading to the “original” viruses support virus replication, physical learned about the mechanisms of Depending on the balance emergencetwentieth century. of these Much viruses. has been and oxygen tension; enzymes barriers; local temperature, pH virus multiplication in the target between virus and host defences, Mechanism of viral secretions; and digestive enzymes and non-specificbile in the gastrointestinalfactors in body infection tract that may inactivate some naturalorgan may selection be sufficient favours to cause the Pathogenesis, the process by viruses. disease and death. However, strains. disease, involves mechanisms dominance of low-virulence virus which an infection leads to such as implantation of virus infective virus residing outside Corona gets the bad at the portal of entry, local Virions, defined as the complete replication, spread to target and a capsid, implant onto name organs or disease sites, and livinga host cell,cells withmainly a core via of RNAthe spread to sites of shedding of respiratory, gastrointestinal, spiked proteins are a large virus into the environment. skin-penetrating, and genital familyCoronaviruses of viruses or thatviruses can causewith

84 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 that the virus shares 96 per cent of its genetic material

in a cave in Yunnan, China, makingwith a virusit convincing found in that a bat it

there is a crucial difference. Acame unit fromcalled bats. the receptor-However, binding domain in the spike proteins of coronaviruses is

entering human cells. The capabilitycentral to oftheir the efficiencySARS-CoV-2 in binding domain stands out,

from that of the Yunnan bat and it differs significantly found to infect people. virus, which has not been The coronavirus family itself is a formidable one. With a diameter of 125 nanometres, coronavirus is one of the largest viruses that infect humans. It is also large for the viruses that use SARS, Middle East Respiratory RNA to replicate. With 30,000 illnessillnesses caused ranging by a coronaviruswidely in Syndrome— SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, which causesand base pairs, they have the largest severity. The first known severe SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the genomes of all RNA viruses — Acute Respiratory Syndrome present pandemic — all came more than three times as large as emerged with the 2003 Severe from bats. But scientists are second outbreak of severe illness looking for an intermediary — an those of HIV and hepatitis C, and began(SARS) inepidemic 2012 in inSaudi China. Arabia A animal infected by the bats that more than twice of influenza. carries the virus into humans. With SARS, the intermediary is proofreading mechanism, these with the Middle East Respiratory Armed with a genomic ResearchersSyndrome (MERS). differ in their are sold in live-animal markets viruses weed out mutations opinion about the origins of inassumed China. to be civet cats, which may be the reason behind the lackthat ofcan effectiveness weaken them.of common This it from 10,000 to 300 million The origin of SARS-CoV-2 is antivirals such as Ribavirin that yearsthe first ago. coronavirus A dozen strains and havedate still an open question and there have been used to successfully stop hepatitis C by inducing virus infect humans. Among the fourbeen thatidentified, cause sevencommon of whichcolds, virusare papers family waitingmay have to branchedbe peer- weakening mutations. the comparatively milder form, outreviewed early whichand thensuggest developed that the Though in terms of mutations, multiple machinations for three times more frequent the influenza virus is up to threetwo camethat causefrom severerodents, disease and article in the journal Nature says than coronaviruses, the latter the other two from bats. The transforming into new forms. An

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 85 recombine, often exchanging speed centrifugation or freeze- constantly evolve, the possibility

chunks of their RNA with other foetalthawing membrane of virus-containing that develops mayremains help that us prepare a new todestructive adjust to getcoronaviruses. together in theAs asame result, cell, when they fromallantoic the fluid yolk (fluid sac) found harvests. in the organism will manifest. History maytwo distantlead to coronavirus versions thatrelatives can These induced a high incidence psychologically. of both local and systemic it scientifically, sociologically, and other species. reactions, particularly in infants invade new cell types and skip to coexistence that emerges out of considered at that time that this aHowever, pandemic is thein starkbiological contrast and children. It was generally to its social effects. Diseases do humans,Bats, which are are often known the toseat carry of not have a social preference, many61 viruses such that knownrecombinations. to infect was due to an inherent ‘toxicity’ and pathogens don’t distinguish Strangely, bats remain immune to of inactivated influenza virus. victims by race, class, religion, many of these viruses, triggering theHowever, introduction the development of technologies of gender or other identities. The research about the secret behind more highly purified products by their immunity. ultracentrifuge demonstrated cooperation and collaboration like the continuous-flow zonal way out of such a situation is What science has that much of the toxic reactions rather than competition. had been due to impurities rather done to contain virus than the virus itself. Still, even Immunity is the best shield of Collaboration in the way we humankind against viruses and preventionfind scientific and and treatment technological of the vaccines have been one of the infantshighly purifiedand young versions children. showed as well as social solutions for significant reactions among social measures are implemented epidemics and pandemics. Viral Later, sodium deoxycholate todisease, prevent collaboration the spread. in the wayThe most effective ways to counter ‘me’ time is over. It is time to developed from 1950-1985 of a commercial vaccine, and think as a collective, be it in the andtissue led culture to the methodsadvent ofwere the deoxycholate-treatedwas adopted for preparationvaccines reduced reactions in both adults context. Scientists need to share and children. The application notessociological about orthe in advances the scientific made oral)Salk (inactivated)polio vaccine. polio Mass vaccine polio of molecular genetics leading by them so that they can gain in and the Sabin (live attenuated to better understanding of terms of ideas, expertise and skill the disease from many regions immunology, microbiology immunisation has now eradicated and genomics accelerated India. Attenuated strains of vaccinology. It helped in (Thissets to article move has forward. been contributed measles,around themumps world and including rubella development of recombinant in personal capacity) hepatitis B vaccines, the less vaccines. reactogenic acellular pertussis were developed for inclusion in

vaccine, and new techniques Later, the avian influenza due manufacture. for seasonal influenza vaccine upto H5N1research, virus, production, had forced andthe Dr. Archita Bhatta scientific community to take The way forward J N Tata Fellow manufacture of vaccines. Early Editor Epidemics tell us that in future Department of Science & crude and impure preparations Technology Communications Cell manufacturedvaccines for byinfluenza methods weresuch Vigyan Prasar, Prithvi Bhawan as adsorption to and elution from viruseswe are evolvelikely toand be our besieged immunity by Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 E-mail: [email protected] chicken erythrocytes and high- new viruses time and again as

to them wanes. As organisms 86 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Evolution of Coronaviruses BIMAN BASU

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned out to be one of the biggest threats to human life in more than a century. Contrary to the suggestions of the new coronavirus being man-made, rigorous genetic studies found no evidence that the virus was made in a laboratory or otherwise engineered and showed the new virus SARS-CoV-2 to have originated through natural processes.

urpassing all threats to rising steadily and exceeded 10 Shumanity in recent years has human diseases. The animals 0.50 million deaths. carrya reservoir dozens, forperhaps potential hundreds, new has been spreading its tentacles million cases, with more than of members of the coronavirus acrossemerged the a globenew steadilyscourge sincethat Coronaviruses are a large family family. Most of those viruses the end of December 2019. First are part of the bats’ normal detected in Wuhan city in China, RNA as the genetic material , living in harmony thatof viruses can cause with illnesses single-stranded ranging an incubation period of up to 14 no harm. But coronaviruses, daysit is a and new mainly coronavirus, affects which the lungs has likewith all their forms hosts of life, and accumulate causing causing SARS-like symptoms. widely in severity. The first random genetic changes as they 2003known Severe severe Acuteillness Respiratory caused by reproduce, often turning them Syndromea coronavirus or emergedSARS epidemicwith the into deadly agents. onInitially 11 February known as 2020 the “2019 as “severe novel in China. A second outbreak of coronavirus”, it was renamed acute respiratory syndrome severe illness began in 2012 in Two critical mutations the International Committee on Respiratory Syndrome or MERS. that made COVID-19 coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)” by ResearchSaudi Arabia is still with on the to Middle determine East deadly the structural characteristics Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). On of SARS-CoV-2 that underlie critical mutations in the bat the same day, the World Health the pathogenetic mechanisms coronavirusAccording setto usscientists, on the path two to Organisation (WHO) announced and its high infectivity. Led declared“COVID-19” it asas thea name‘controllable of the by researchers in Germany, disease it causes. The WHO has pandemic’ if countries step up virologic study of COVID-19 has ofthe the COVID-19 spike-like pandemic. structures The firstthat measures to tackle it. While most protrudemutation modifiedfrom the thevirus. structure Those cases of COVID-19 are mild, the virus quickly begins producing protrusions give the virus its most serious complication of the highshown viral that burden,after infection sheds RNAthe infection is a type of pneumonia in the upper respiratory tract. family name: “Corona” means efficiently, and multiplies rapidly onto“crown” an inenzyme Latin. calledThe alteredACE2, China,which maythe numberbe fatal. ofSince people the It may be mentioned here spikes allow the virus to latch first cases were detected in tract in humans. The related which lines the respiratory infected worldwide has been that bats are well known as March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 87 virus responsible for the SARS The scientists analysed the genetic epidemic employs a similar infection mechanism, as does Oneshowed of nothe symptoms. most disturbing another bat coronavirus that aspects of the recent pandemic outsidetemplate of forthe virus“spike” that proteins it uses causes common colds in humans. is the plethora of speculative to(S proteins)grab and —penetrate protrusions the onouter the stories appearing in the social media regarding the origin of walls of human and animal cells. The second key mutation allowed More specifically, they focussed slicethe coronavirus through other to grow proteins a protein to createdSARS-CoV-2, in somethe oflab whichand on two important features of makedagger the called virus a furin,bind whichtightly can to describe it as a bioweapon ofthe grappling spike protein: hook that the gripsreceptor- onto throat and lung cells. The furin rigorous genetic studies of the hostbinding cells, domain and the(RBD) cleavage — a kindsite accidentally released. However, — a molecular can opener that CoV-2 virus so infectious and virus is the product of natural deadlyprotein tois humans.what made In thatthe sense,SARS- virus have revealed that the new and enter host cells. COVID-19 is similar to anthrax published in the journal Nature allows the virus to crack open evolution, according to findings Medicine. The analysis of public Evidence for natural rely on furins to carry out their genome sequence data from infection.and various bird flus that also SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses evolution found no evidence that the virus This evidence for natural According to the scientists, these mutations could have occurred on SARS-CoV-2’s backbone — towas scientists, made in by a comparinglaboratory theor itsevolution overall was molecular supported structure. by data in bats. It is also possible availableotherwise genome engineered. sequence According data thatwhile onethe virusor bothwas circulatingmutations could have erupted in a If someone were seeking to CoV-2for known originated coronavirus through strains,natural constructedengineer a itnew from coronavirus the backbone as earlier version of the virus but processes.it can be firmly said that SARS- a pathogen, they would have person who was infected by an of a virus known to cause illness.

Schematic presentation of the SARS-CoV-2 genome organisation, the canonical subgenomic mRNAs (essentially, smaller sections of the original transcribed template strand), and the virion structure. (Credit: Kim et al., 2020)

88 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 But the scientists found that the that most of the coronaviruses in pangolin coronavirus and SARS- SARS-CoV-2 backbone differed humans are derived from the bat CoV-2. In contrast, although the substantially from those of already reservoir. Several research teams genomes of SARS-CoV-2 and RaTG13 are more similar overall, resembled related viruses found only one out of the six functional inknown bats coronavirusesand pangolins. and According mostly have confirmed the genetic ofsimilarity four genera between of coronaviruses). SARS-CoV-2 viruses. It has been proposed the virus, the mutations in the and a bat betacoronavirus (one thatsites isthe identical SARS-CoV-2 between receptor- the two RBDto them, portion “These of the two spike features protein of SARS-CoV-2 has 96.2 per cent binding domain region of the and its distinct backbone, rules similarityThe whole-genome to that of sequencea bat SARS- of spike protein might have resulted out laboratory manipulation as a from recent recombination collected in Yunnan province, events in pangolins. Although related coronavirus (RaTG13) several ancient recombination potential origin for SARS-CoV-2”. events have been described in China, but has low similarity spike, it also seems likely that sequencesMeanwhile, of dozensother ofresearchers preserved 50to thatper ofcent). SARS-CoV It has (aboutalso been 79 the identical functional sites who sifted through the genetic per cent) or MERS-CoV (about in SARS-CoV-2 and pangolin coronavirus is a distant cousin of the same receptor, the angiotensin coronavirus may actually result theviral coronavirus samples found that that caused the new the confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 uses from coincidental convergent SARS outbreak of 2002 and 2003, evolution. and the coronavirus that gave routeconverting of enzymetransmission II (ACE2), from as SARS-CoV. Although the specific rise to MERS in 2009. The virus natural reservoirs to humans Probable routes of responsible for COVID-19 has remains unclear, several studies distinctive features that separate evolution it from its predecessors by many, have provided a partial spike Based on their genomic many generations, according genehave shownto SARS-CoV-2; that pangolins the critical may sequencing analysis, Kristian to their report in the Journal of functional sites in the spike Andersen, Associate Professor of Virology. But, according to the protein of SARS-CoV-2 are nearly Immunology and Microbiology researchers, none of the genetic at Scripps Research Institute mutations looked like the ones “a virus isolated from a pangolin. and corresponding author on identical to those identified in a the Nature Medicine paper, and his collaborators have concluded scientific genius would engineer that the most likely origins for theyin a havelab toall tweak the hallmarksa virus forof causesBoth SARS-CoVCOVID-19) bind(that tocauses ACE2 thebetter gradual performance”. accretion of changesInstead, throughSARS) andthe SARS-CoV-2receptor-binding (that possible routes. that occur over time as a virus domain of the spike protein SARS-CoV-2 followed one of two in order to initiate membrane fusion and enter human cells. the virus could have evolved encounters new environments Five out of the six critical amino toThe its first current possible pathogenic option is statethat CoV-2and the looks immune like asystems virus that of new has acid residues in receptor-binding through natural selection in organisms. In other words, SARS- a non-human host and then SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, and a jumped to humans. This is Accordingevolved naturally, to a paper the team published wrote. 3Ddomain structural were differentanalysis indicatedbetween in the journal National that the spike of SARS-CoV-2 had Science Review, coronaviruses known to be the route through are naturally hosted and than SARS-CoV. Intriguingly, humanswhich previouscontracting coronavirusthe virus evolutionarily shaped by bats. thesea higher same binding six affinitycritical to amino ACE2 afteroutbreaks direct had exposure emerged, to civetswith Indeed, it has been postulated

acids are identical between (SARS) and camels (MERS). The March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 89 evolved such a virulent cleavage site in human cells and soon kicked off the current epidemic, as the coronavirus

become far more capablewould possibly of spreading have

Andersen. between people, say According to the

if not impossible to scientists, it is difficult

isknow most at likely. this Ifpoint the which of the scenarios researchers propose bats as the humans and then evolving to its SARS-CoV-2 entered humans in most likely reservoir for SARS- its current pathogenic form from CoV-2, as it is remarkably similar the human population. For an animal source, it raises the instance,current pathogenic some coronaviruses state within probability of future outbreaks, since there are no documented as the illness-causing strain of the casesto a batof coronavirus.direct bat-to-human However, mammals found in Asia and virus could still be circulating in transmission, an intermediate Africa)from pangolins have a receptor-binding (armadillo-like the animal population and might domain structure similar to that once again jump into humans. But bats and humans, say the of SARS-CoV-2. A coronavirus the chances of a non-pathogenic scientists.host was likely involved between from a pangolin could possibly coronavirus entering the human have been transmitted to a population and then evolving In this scenario, both of the human, either directly or through properties similar to SARS-CoV-2 distinctive features of SARS-CoV- an intermediary host such as 2’s spike protein that binds to civets or ferrets. are lower. cells and the cleavage site that that despite the recent According to Andersen, after It must, however, be remembered evolved to their current state transmission, the other distinct discoveries, several fundamental beforeopens theentering virus humans.up would In havethis spike protein characteristic of issues related to the evolutionary SARS-CoV-2, the cleavage site, patterns and driving forces probably have emerged rapidly behind this outbreak of SARS- case, the current epidemic would human host, possibly via limited CoV-2 remain to be fully undetectedcould have circulationevolved within in the a characterised. evolvedas soon asthe humans features were that infected, make human population prior to the itas pathogenicthe virus would and able have to alreadyspread beginning of the epidemic. The researchers found that the SARS- Biman Basu Author, Science Communicator CoV-2 cleavage site appears between people. and Consultant The second probable route similar to the cleavage sites of C-203 Hindon Apartments envisions a non-pathogenic 25 Vasundhara Enclave version of the virus jumping Delhi-110096 from an animal host into people.strains ofSARS-CoV-2 bird flu that could has beenhave E-mail: [email protected] shown to transmit easily between

90 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Epidemiology, Basic Reproduction Number, and Herd Immunity of SARS-CoV-2 Dr. ARUN PRATAP SIKARWAR

COVID-19 is a potentially fatal disease inflicted with an exorbitant global public health concern. The person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 infection has led to social distancing and pervasive lockdowns. In epidemiology, the basic

reproduction number (R0) is one of the most widely used concepts for understanding

the contagiousness of an infectious agent. The value of R0 is the average number of new infections produced by an infectious patient in a given population. The acquired immunity is established at the level of the individual, either naturally through infection by the pathogen or by passive immunisation with a vaccine. Herd immunity arises from individual immunity scaled to the level of the population and thus provides indirect protection from infection to susceptible individuals when a sufficiently large proportion of immune individuals exist in a population. The COVID-19 pandemic would likely get over when an effective vaccine is available or sufficient herd immunisation is acquired. Until either is reached, suppression of the epidemic through immensely intensive measures, such as quarantine and applying contact control resources to slow the spread of the virus, appear to be the only viable and safe strategy.

y the end of 2019, a series Bof pneumonia-like cases of global attention, making the causativelower respiratory agent. tractThe samplesongoing around the world has attracted outbreakidentified aof novelemerging virus assevere the unknown aetiology emerged in acute respiratory syndrome onWorld 11 MarchHealth 2020. Organisation The very Wuhan city of Hubei province of (WHO) to declare it as a pandemic JanuaryPeople’s Republic2020, deep of China nucleotide (PRC). sequencingA few weeks lateranalysis by the midfrom of tocoronavirus more than 2 200(SARS-CoV-2) countries initial cluster of patients with disease (COVID-19) from Wuhan pneumonia-like symptoms was linked to a local Huanan seafood March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 91 market in Wuhan in December preventive healthcare and thus syndrome. The binding of a virion 2019. Unfortunately, there are design, collection, statistical angiotensin-converting enzyme2 vaccines yet available for disease analysisepidemiologists of data and help interpretation, with study (mature virus particle) with controlno specific and thustherapeutics the COVID-19 and and dissemination of results for epidemic poses a great threat to policymakers and the public. (ACE2) receptors expressed global public health. Widespread Thus, the epidemiology helps to by host cells is the first step of develop the methodology used epithelialviral infection cells followed are the byprimary fusion human population in their homes, in clinical research and public targetwith theof thecell novelmembrane. coronavirus Lung haslockdown altered of geopoliticsalmost half leadingof the health studies. virus. to immense economic loss and Based on initially a localised are affected by the pandemic of number of novel coronavirus brings out the urgent need of COVID-19Almost all and countries are suffering worldwide from infected people had exposure understandingloss of jobs, forth, the whichepidemiology clearly a rapidly increasing number of of the currently ongoing positive cases and unfortunate COVID-19 pandemic. Further, areto theroutinely wet animalsold, itmarket is being in since the pandemic of SARS in suggestedWuhan city wherelikely livehaving animals a of stringent control efforts of deaths. Scientific advancements the nationwide declaration 2002-03 and the Middle East zoonotic origin. Researchers are trying to map the reservoir host economic and social activities. A lockdown has led to paralyzing in 2012, have accelerated or intermediate carriers from ourRespiratory understanding Syndrome of(MERS) the epidemiology, basic reproduction few medical biology terms, e.g., epidemiology and pathogenesis may have spread to humans. of COVID-19 to some extent, if Genomicwhere initiallysequence the analysis infection of herd immunity are some of the number (or R naught), and not fully. pertain to the medical fraternity, The common symptoms of derivedCOVID-19 SARS-like has shown coronaviruses, almost 88 butcommon to a common words, whichhuman no to somemore COVID-19 infection appear after indicatingper cent identity that batswith twoare bat-the extent. an incubation period of about 5 days and the period from the onset and humans. Person-to-person of symptoms to death ranges Epidemiology of transmissionmost likely link occurs between primarily disease to a median of approximately COVID-19 through direct contact or by the droplets spread by coughing, The term epidemiology literally depends on the age and immune system14 days. of However,the patient; this thusperiod it infected individual. According to sneezing, or talking with an means “the studyepi —of meaningwhat is more than 65 years of age. The was shorter among patients of of Science and Technology, and upon the people”,demos— derived meaning from consensus symptoms at the colleaguesYalan Liu at in Huazhong their Frontiers University in Greek words, logos— meaning onset of COVID-19 disease are “upon”, Paediatrics report in a small comprehensive“people”, and study and “study”. Epidemiology is a heavy fever, dry cough, difficulty analysis of the distribution, study conducted on women in breathing (dyspnoea), patterns and determinants of symptoms are headache, in their third trimester who and fatigue, while secondary health and disease conditions in haemoptysis, diarrhoea, loss were confirmed to be infected a set of the human population. of taste and the smell, and transmissionwith the coronavirus,from mother there to It is an important aspect of lymphopenia. The investigational child.was no Because evidence all thatthe pregnantthere is public health and decides policy clinical features through a chest decisions by identifying risk CT scan represent as pneumonia delivery, hence it has remained factors for disease and targets for and acute respiratory distress mothers underwent caesarean

unclear whether transmission 92 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 R0 1 - 2 R0 2 - 3 R0 3 - 5 R0 12 - 18

R0

Illustration of R0 (R naught) for the coronavirus, along with other common infectious diseases Picture (Credit: Department of Health, @roinnslainte) can occur during vaginal birth. measles is the highest — up to This is important because disease epidemiology, is today pregnant mothers are relatively would have given attention to pertussis 5.5, common cold 2-3, more susceptible to infection by medical terminologies, FAQs, and 18; chickenpox (varicella) 12, better versed with dozens of respiratory pathogens and severe a litany of dos and don’ts. One of 2.8. Similarly, R0 pneumonia. MERS 0.3-0.8 and influenza 1.5- around is the “basic reproduction and for polio it foris 5-7HIV/AIDS through is SARS-CoV-2 is the causative the most common) and herdwords immunity. buzzing faecal-oral2-5 with the route. route of body fluids agent of COVID-19. Extensive 0 measures to reduce person-to- For example, if the R for comprehend?number” (R 0 person transmission of SARS- Are these words so crucial to SARS-CoV-2 in a geographical CoV-2 have been implemented Basic Reproduction to control the current outbreak. Special attention and efforts to Number SARS-CoV2population is shall3.0, then produce we would 3 protect or reduce transmission The basic reproduction number expect that each new case of to the susceptible populations 0 everyone around the case including co-morbid patients, of rating an infectious disease’s new secondary cases (assuming (R-value, R , or R naught) is a way children, healthcare providers, ability to spread in society. The 0 and elderly people have been basic reproduction number of was susceptible and without practised. Amidst the COVID-19 byvaccination). the secondary However, cases the andR excludes new cases produced pandemic, the free and fair average number of secondary the value of R0 does vary from casesan epidemic that an is infecteddefined subjectas the one population to another and guidelines, is more essential produces over its infectious similarly from one geographical thanflow everof information, for ensuring news, an openand period in a susceptible and area to another. Measles has one dialogue and the exchange uninfected population. The R0 is of the highest basic reproduction used to measure the transmission potential of a disease. Among cause explosive outbreaks in the public.of vital It hasinformation been observed between that the aerosol-based transmissible humannumbers population. (18) and The thus ongoing may government officials and the diseases, the R0 value for novel coronavirus has a basic even a common man, who never March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 93 reproduction number of about immunised through vaccination circumstance, a single positive 2.5-3.0. to eradicate a disease or other arrangements need to be made The basic reproductive number is if a vaccine is not available. If the cases.case of TheCOVID-19 consideration would produce of R affected by several factors, such 0 value of R >1 then the infection isan veryaverage important of 2 new to impose secondary the as 0 rapidly in a population, but thus the aim of the policymakers population will be able to start spreading lockdown in an infected area and if R0 of a country is to keep the • Rate of contacts in the host eventually dilute out as not reproduction number as close to <1 then the disease will transmitted during contact one as possible. The main aim of • Probability of infection being infected to sustain the outbreak. enough new people are being Thus, the larger the value of R0, keep people inside their homes the harder it is to control the tothe minimise imposition and of lockdownpush back is the to • Duration of infectiousness. susceptible to an infection in the epidemic. A population will rarely be totally reproduction number to one or Let us understand an example evenexponential less. growth of basic immune, for example, due to prior for COVID-19 is 4 real world. Some contacts will be 0 In populations that are not much life-long immunity, or as a result halfwhere of the the R population seems homogeneous, the estimation of ofinfection previous which immunisation. has conferred The a in a human population, where healthy, then the effective R0 R0 is not a biological constant for basic reproduction number the same is true to our country, an infectious agent as it is also is not straight forward and affected by other factors such as shallTable: be Common4 x 0.5 =infectious 2. In such human a which diseases, proudly their boasts transmission of “Unity in route and range of their R0 value environmental conditions (cold location, age of the population, Sr. No. Disease Transmission Route R and thehot behaviour weather), of geographical the infected 0 1. COVID-19 Respiratory droplets 1.94-5.7 of human individuals). The 2. Aerosol 10-12 Rpopulation values are(say, estimated immunity from 3. Mumps Respiratory droplets 10-12 0 Chickenpox (varicella) mathematical models and the 4. Polio Faecal-oral route 5-7 estimated values are dependent 5. Rubella Respiratory droplets 5-7 on the model used and the 6. Pertussis Respiratory droplets 5.5 values of other parameters. Thus, values given in the literature only 7. Smallpox Respiratory droplets 3.5-6 make sense in the given context 8. Measles Aerosol 12-18 and it is recommended not to 9. 2-5 use obsolete values or compare 10. SARS Respiratory droplets 3.1-4.2 values based on different models. HIV/AIDS Body fluids 11. Common cold Respiratory droplets 2-3 The value of R does not alone 0 12. Diphtheria Saliva 1.7-4.3 fast an infection spreads in the 13. Respiratory droplets 1.4-2.8 population.by itself give an estimate of how 14. Ebola 1.5-1.9 Influenza The most pertinent uses of R 15. Respiratory droplets 1.4-1.6 0 Body fluids 16. Respiratory droplets 1.4-1.6 Influenza an emerging infectious disease pandemic strain) value is to determine how much Influenza (2009 can spread in a population and 17. Respiratory droplets 0.9-2.1 18. MERS Respiratory droplets 0.3-0.8 the population should be either Influenza to determine what proportion of

94 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 proportion of individuals especially those of Europe, do susceptible individuals gets may not become immune notDiversity”. have muchThe small heterogeneous countries, contact between diseased and populations and thus have a immunosuppression, old age, reduced. It disrupts or slows because of immunodeficiency, 0 value. To disease. Thus, as the proportion co-morbidity, etc., and thus successfully eliminate a disease ofdown immune the chains individuals of infection ofin thea for such group of susceptible narrow range of R from a population, R0 needs to community increases, it leads to people, herd immunity arises as a smaller probability that non- a crucial method of protection. reason to enforce a pervasive Upon reaching a particular be less than 1. This was the only threshold, this herd immunity individual,immune individuals helping willto shieldcome gradually kicks out a disease emergency,lockdown inthe several common countries, people non-immuneinto contact withindividuals an infectious from from that population. Such including India, when, except for infection. kind of elimination may result in the permanent reduction in Primarily, the individuals become severalwere forced businesses to remain and industrial at their sites and work from home while recovering back from an earlier calledthe number eradication of new of the infections disease. infectionimmune inor twothrough ways, vaccination either by units were shut down. Thus, we Into 1977,zero, whichthe herd is otherwiseimmunity eachwere othertrying to tocut stop the virus’ the peopleability tofrom spread coming further. into contact with programme.not immunised, However, immuniseda not immunised, Herd immunity is immunised concept of epidemiology regardingHerd immunity the populationis an important level effect of individual animal immunity to further prevent immunity has several other names suchtransmission as community of pathogens. immunity, Herd or social immunity and is a form of indirect protection from immunised infectious disease that occurs population has become immune towhen an ainfection. large percentage This could of bea either through mass vaccination programme or previous exposures of infections, thereby providing a chance of protection immunised immune. Once a substantial fractionfor individuals of human who arepopulation not yet possesses immunity, then such people are less likely to contribute to disease transmission, because Herd immunity the likelihood of effective (Credit: File:Herd immunity.svg at Wikimedia.org)

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 95 be immune for months to years, coronavirus could still infect vaccination contributed to the but probably not their entire children before they can be absolutecreated world-wideeradication ofby smallpox. massive lives. vaccinated or adults after their With regard to ongoing only contagious diseases. Mass old-age, co-morbidity, or over infectiousness of the novel vaccinationHerd immunity leading is applicable to herd to immunosuppression.immunity wanes because But it ofis coronavirus, the epidemiologists immunity has eradicated many unlikely in the long term to have have estimated that at least 60 per cent of the human population the unfortunate opposition to is likely to have exposure to get vaccinationinfectious programmesdiseases; however, has led the explosive spread that we are immune to have herd protection inseeing the rightfuture. now Dr. because Michael much Ryan, of [having the R preventable diseases to persist in 0 the population will get immune -1/R to a vicious circle of allowing 0 0 or re-surfacing in communities value of 2.5, with health emergencies programme executive director of the WHO’s that have inadequate vaccination the formula as (R )x100 = rates. Understanding herd (2.5-1/2.5)x100 = 60 per cent] immunity requires consideration theirsays thatpopulations it is wrong immune to think to that the of infection dynamics and modes countries can “magically” make the concept of herd immunity acquisition of immunity by isnovel generally coronavirus. used for He calculating said that individualsof transmission, in the aspopulation. well as the be vaccinated in a population in A lot many infectious diseases, how many people will need to e.g., measles, mumps, polio, not vaccinated. order to protect those who are This COVID-19 pandemic is a and chickenpox were once because vaccines have helped Various countries are having common challenge faced by toquite establish common butherd are immunity.now rare mankind in the age of expanding globalisation in the 21st century. outbreaks of vaccine-preventable levelspersistent of infection untilweek(s)-long a vaccine However, we sometimes see lockdown to minimise the current you are, the sharing of resources, experiences,At present, andregardless lessons, of seems who diseases in communities with they probably have not developed governmentsbecomes available. to keep This strict would vigil an inevitable panacea for us to lower vaccine coverage because torequire maintain well-calculated physical distancing efforts of for an extended period until sufficient herd protection. For win this so-called Third World a vaccine, a lot many adults use an effective COVID-19 vaccine this pandemic is not isolation, many infectious diseases without War. The real remedy to win over to develop immunity because of is developed, tested, mass- but the cooperation of mankind produced, and made available to keeping aside the geopolitics and but the disease can still circulate the public. By keeping a concerted regional differences. exposure of prior infection(s), among children and can still check on the rate of infection, it is possible to keep a check over too many people getting infected infect those with compromised virus mutates again and again so by SARS-CoV-2 in a geographical oftenimmunity. that the Common resultant cold antibodies or flu from the previous infection Dr. Arun Pratap Sikarwar be required to prevent major Assistant Professor provide short protection. For the area. But prolonged efforts will outbreaks until a promising Department of Zoology vaccine is developed and made Dayalbagh Educational Institute available for general use. (Deemed University) flu, this is less than a year. Like Agra-282005 (U.P.) other coronaviruses, with SARS- Even though, the novel E-Mail: [email protected] CoV-2 infection, we can expect that people who get infected will 96 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 The world after COVID-19 Crisis The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted human lives severely in multi-ways, globally. As a safe and efficient vaccine seems to be far and herd immunity is not easy to achieve soon, human race is learning to live with SARS-CoV-2. The governments, organisations and people at individual levels are trying to formulate the newest ways to avoid the SARS-CoV-2 infection and keep life running. Several ‘new normals’ have suddenly entered in the people’s daily lives. This article deals with those ‘new normals’ and the efforts of human race to cope them in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. MEHER WAN

he COVID-19 pandemic advised to sit at a safe distance the assignments and other related Thas affected human life from each other. The high-speed internet has emerged as a life saving technology for the human ofworks the aredocuments. also being Acompleted number longseverely time across have theraised world. several The online and with the soft copies lockdowns sustained for a very and methodologies have emerged race. A plethora of new systems shiftedof high-profile themselves internationalto virtual post-pandemic.serious questions Not aboutonly iswhat the the pandemic. Academics and onlinescientific platforms conferences for presenting have the future of human life will be school/collegesfrom the internet are to teaching cope with the students through online classes, of researchers. way of living changing among the the research to a wide community changingcommon people,due to but the high-profile COVID-19 pandemic.diplomatic Mega-eventswork culture like is alsothe Olympics are being postponed

being held online. The politicians and high-profile meetings are press conferences via online conferencingand officials areplatforms. appearing Thefor

accommodate the COVID-19 pandemicworld is andpreparing learning itself to liveto

with the dangerous virus.

The usually crowded public distancing. The passengers in Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi interacting with Australian PM Scott John transport is now following social buses, metro rails and trains are Morrison in an online summit (Image Courtesy: Jagranjosh.com)

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 97 also facing the crisis in a hard facing a serious recession and The newspaper industry is shake hands with Padma companiesharsh manner. and Thestartups world areis Awardees at the award ceremony on the verge of collapsing and way. Circulation of printed which the Excellency used to do bankruptcy. Pandemics are not newspapers has fallen drastically in normal times? How will the worldwide and people are Oscar/Nobel Awards ceremony the production goes higher and preferring online news platforms. be conducted? When will the highersimilar to wars.satisfy During various wartime, kinds top)The high-budgetmedia platforms. feature People films are emerge?salons open for haircut and how being released on OTT (over-the- will the new styles of haircuts pandemic the production is It is a bit early to estimate the on a big screen in a large open of needs. However, during this talking about screening of films and planning to scale up the novel coronavirus and experts sitting in their cars comfortably productiongoing lower. in It industries requires resilience after the aredamage claiming worldwide that duethe toafter- the tospace avoid and the theychances will of watchinfection. by livelihoods. last for a very long time. There long lockdown which can support governments are on the verge of effects of this pandemic will It is the first time when the state are many imponderables. For alcohol by relaxing the norms and thorough transformation. The allowing the home delivery of The job market will undergo a example, what will be the social governments and economists many nations have closed their structure of society? How will laws. On the international level, borders to prevent people from people behave? How will the the creation of decent and sustainablewill be forced jobs to inwork the towardsmarket. communitytechnological change needs its of priorities?the world Willchange? there How be awill positive the scientific climate Indiaentering. accepted For the the first credentials time in the of sevenIndian diplomatichistory, Hon. envoys President in anof COVID-19The economists era. A willparadigm search shift for e-ceremony. It is being termed the new market in the post- tochange? understand How will the befuture the life?after And the as ‘digital diplomacy’. For the many more. It will be important essentialwill be servicesobserved sector focusing in place on creation of highly paid new jobs in inked a defence pact after an Vulnerablevery first wave of economy this pandemic. of the non-essential sector. There onlinefirst time, summit India of theand PMs Australia of both are enormous opportunities for establishing the government sector in the market. Strict lockdowns have affected arethe beingnations. held Nowonline high-profile to discuss the world economy in a very thediplomatic global meetingsaffairs induring the world the pandemic. As big social gatherings are

restaurants are putting plastic curtainsnot allowed to isolateand are groups not safe, of people in the same place. To avoid chances of infection, ‘hugging

the loved ones to hug safely. stations’ are being set up to allow

It is still not clear how the events and human behaviour will pandemic. Will our President Automation will hit the job market. (Source: AFP) shape in the wake of the current

98 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Supply chain 4.0 Due to the present pandemic, several disruptions in the global supply chains are being observed. Several companies

countriesare completely have imposedshut down export due bansto inthe the caselockdown. of many essentialSeveral commodities. Core technologies of the fourth industrial the paradigm shift in the supply revolution are waiting to make cloud computing, the Internet chain with the help of Big Data, Public transport companies will suffer loss due to social distancing norms of Things (IoT) and blockchain. (Courtesy: Creative Commons) theAcceleration human jobs. of Artificial shall be practised, and online transport must be encouraged Intelligence will be observed in to curb pollution, but after the The public transport ticket purchasing and robotic equipmentmedium will might be bepreferred deployed for at be same and people may prefer and travel inquiry counters. pandemic, the advisory will not It gives hope for the U-shaped At metro stations and high- recoverytravelling in alone the automobile in their own sector cars. The public transport will undergo travelleda drastic intransformation the pre-COVID-19 which check is necessary by a security vehicles on the road exponentially will change the way we have personal,security placesthermal/X-ray where security 3D but will result in increasing era. At the airports, people will zero-touch policy might be conditions.which will furtherThe service-basedincrease the scanners will be deployed and be seen with masks and covering practised. The coaches and transportpollution andmodels worsen like the the climate lease, the whole body with Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs). regularly to avoid the spread of require more sophisticated public places will be disinfected scannersChecking themand for securityno-touch will infection. pay-when-travel or taxi services will be affected severely in the post-COVID-19 world. the boarding passes and other Automobile sector Tourism processes.mechanisms The will travellersprevail toshall get have to prove their health status One of the most severely hit suggesting that the use of public sectors of the economy is tourism. to airport authorities to cross the Climate experts have always been The countries and places are

3Dborders infrared of countries.vision at the There airports will closure of international borders. hit hard by the lockdown and forbe moresurveillance thermal and scanners security with in addition to thermal screening for However, it is still unclear how fever. reopenlong this all pandemic the tourist will lastplaces. and Ithow is muchcertain time that it thewill tourismtake to Demand of automobiles will be high in physical distancing norms In the trains and railway stations, post-lockdown time (Source: livemint.com) scenario will not be the same as March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 99 numerous changes in social behaviour like never before. The concerns about hygiene, personal safety, and physical distancing became too important suddenly. The food supply chain involves producers, agricultural

Tourism industry will have to formulate the new ways to keep tourists safe from and storage, transportation, infection (Source: FICCI) marketing,and fisheries and people, then consumers.processing, the food habits across the globe. It is likely that in the case of a a very long time. The scientists In the restaurants, the sharing of large number of COVID-19 cases andit was policy in pre-pandemic makers are struggling times for and high spread of infection, hard to bring the situation to normalcy. The United Kingdom theirfood willdemand. be avoided, The restaurants,and people important at all levels of the is considering issuing “immunity pubs,will orderbars, singleand roadsideitem as localper supplythe need chain. of testing The internationalwill be very standards regarding hygiene for crossing the international due to the novel coronavirus borders.passports” Needless to the to travellerssay, the cuisine shop will be affected hard coronavirusand working pandemic. conditions will be that they are safe for tourists. createpandemic. a physicallyHowever, restaurantdistanced changed in the wake of the novel Althoughcountries willit is have not alsoclear to asshow of environmentowners are workingin their hardvenues, to but after the pandemic, people era.A new The trendpackaged of homefood like cooking pizza that COVID-19 survivors become may not appear in common food andwill re-emergethe home indelivery the post-COVID from the immunenow, if it to is subsequent proved scientifically infections joints as before. The kitchens then governments may issue the common public due to fear ofrestaurants infection. willOnline be tutorialsavoided forby people. outsideof the restaurantsthan ever will before become to immunity certificates to such increasemore open the totransparency watching fromand Food habits cooking will become the new When a large fraction of the accessoriesteacher for to thosemake thewho cooking wish ingain banquetingpublic confidence and regardingcatering to learn cooking. Many new hygiene. There will be a decline due to the crashing economy and become smaller in gathering. discontinuedworld’s population supply chain,will reststarve of easy will hit the market which business and the marriages will we have never seen before as In the book Future Shock, the options.food was easily available in the world will be forced to change restaurants with home delivery Coronavirus has created an aboutfamous ‘certainwriter psychologicalAlvin Toffler statetalks system in the public and people of individuals or areawareness more likelytowards to go forimmune more organic and healthy food in place of packaged food. tooa societymuch changewhen confronted with in a short period Sports of time.’ During the time of COVID-19 Japan and Olympics authorities pandemic, the have announced the (Credit: Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) postponement of the upcoming

world has seen 100 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 the largest sports events in the Tokyo Olympics, which is one of andworld. fear The of gettingsportspersons infected. are It isstuck a inchallenging homes due time to lockdown for the sportspersons both physically and mentally. Especially the games have a different kind of sportspersons who play team individual games like shooting or golf.mental condition in contrast with

The coaches, sports persons, Himalayan peaks are visible from distant places due to reduced pollution levels federations, and planning (Courtesy: Creative Commons) For coronavirus, less outdoor activity can reduce the chances experts are working to look moreVirtual used reality by willboth get doctors a boom and in of infection. Reduced economic andfor newcompetitions protocols forresume post- patientsusage. The as telemedicinethe risk of infection will be activity can also help arrest afterCOVID normalcy games when returns. the trainingIn the climate change because if the meantime, it is being suggested More robust and secure online to sports person to keep their will be more in hospitals. energy consumption and less to make telemedicine easier, greenhouseless is produced, gases lessemission. will be the safer,platforms and andmore apps effective. will be For made the fitness well. Human behaviour Education try to establish the electronic onlineelections, voting planning mechanism experts aswill a Educational institutions are hit make humans very insecure mainstream voting method. hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. andFear mentallyof getting isolated infected from willthe

Climate change safeIt is notto be sure present when innormalcy the classes will breathingothers. It isair known in an enclosed that touching space Climate change is the result andbe achieved, in morning and whengatherings it will bein isobjects, risky. being The withcomfort other of people, being of not only large-scale the schools. Distance learning is industrialisation but also change looking for the absence of others in human social behaviour, implemented in schools and with others will be replaced by the new normal which is being people. can be conducted online, but nearby, especially unknown which contributes indirectly. thecolleges. lab classes However, are impossibleonly classes to Regulatory barriers to online inThe climate. lockdowns There across are the several world be taught online. It is expected pictureshave shown from positiveacross thechanges globe circulating in the social media intools the willpost-pandemic cease and era. online The studentsthat new muchtechnology more willeffectively come activity will be at the highest inup thewith online the newclasses ways and to involve teach several congresses and symposia andwhich restricted indicate ahuman sharp dropactivity in shallmeetings happen will online be online,only. Online and duringpollution this levels period. due toTackling lockdowns the help of virtual reality platforms. coronavirus and climate change Thethem usein labof technologyactivities with in the both needs a reduction of the theteaching digital will lifestylebecome healthier.popular. non-essential economic activity. role of educators. In the classes, The experts will try to make education sector will redefine the March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 101 Frontline workers will face mental stress and psychological problems due to heavy work pressure (Source: Getty Images)

of educators apart from the core life skills will also get the focus length commercial feature films. subjects. before technologists to secure OTT platforms will emerge as the new theThere content will be anda great restrict challenge the platforms for releasing films Entertainment (Source: Warner Bros.) The entertainment sector is on piracy activities of the films. Technology will the verge of a paradigm shift Health sector become the saviour

In the telehealth sector, there of everything in post-pandemic goingin the todistribution the big gatheringsof films and in Technology will be at the heart video-series. People will avoid are new experiments and time. It would make life easier achievements-in-waiting during cinema halls. The filmmakers effective in providing service in and safer at offices, public places, and distributors will try to the post-COVID-19primary health era. care It willsector. be technologyhospitals and to everywhere. not only runThere a Therefind outare alreadythe new several ways online to will be a huge dependence on videorelease platformsthe films thatand screenseries. primary data and diagnostic Robots will be used to take the customers also. The Internet movies and other video content, input from the patients in the company but to interact with hospitals. limits from video series to full- inof theThings post-pandemic (IoT) will also era. play an but it will rise and expand its important role in the new normal

Online learning will open new possibilities in education Online medical consultation will be the new normal (Source: Microsoft) (Source: mobilehealthnews.com)

102 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 The companies, agencies and at public places, the surveillance scanners including thermal scannersystem willfor security,have different safely and3D assuring safe physical distance. There might be a thermal scanner bodyat the temperaturedoor of an office of thethat person allows isthe in person safe limits, to go i.e.,inside no whensymptom the method of taking attendance may of COVID-19 infection. A new and touchless unlike the present Use of telemedicine is increasing after COVID-19 biometricevolve which methods. will be different driverless cars are already in technologies to enable the people Companies are also in the process really be understood in the post- to increase the use of technology COVID-19market, but era. their importance will byto worktechnologies from the homes.including The remote working is being enabled in how they deliver their services voice over internet protocols become more smart and able to be preferred in the post- virtual private networks (VPNs), serveto the better. customers. Chatbots will The digital payments will technologies, and even facial afraid to use cash for purchasing recognition(VoIPS), virtual technologies meetings, cloudto andcoronavirus payments era. Peopleto avoid will thebe and cause loss of jobs in the provide better experience during The automation will increase chances of infection through the cash notes. The digital and post-COVID-19 era. Robots will work from home. Several new become the new normal at the and better technologies will services to the people. Online contactless payments will be the and requirements of the different enquiries and will deliver the the markets. evolve due to new work culture shopping and robot deliveries new normal in the industry and The COVID-19 crisis has challengesoffice environments. to employers The remote and achievewill be thein thehottest near phenomenon future. The employeeswork also regardingimposes additionalsecurity, which the companies will try to opened new opportunities privacy, and tech support. In for development of the new

usview prepare of the ourselves above, the to realiselabour thelaws needwill have of changeto get updated. and make Let the change possible for a better humanity.

Dr. Meher Wan Associate Editor, Science Reporter CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources, Dr KS Krishnan Marg New Delhi-110012 The way we do business and interact could be fundamentally changed by E-mail: [email protected] COVID-19 (Credit: Getty Images)

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 103 A New Scenario in Sports RAKESH THAPLIYAL

We are witnessing a new sporting world where the doors of stadiums have been shut for sports globally and turned into quarantine centres or hospitals for saving the lives of those afflicted with COVID-19. A new virus has forced sportspersons to use modern technology and scientific training to keep abreast of the situation. Health awareness has taken over and athletes have started training and competing in empty stadiums as they need to be very careful because one mistake, and it could be ‘Game over’ for them.

and many more in different T for Olympic-bound players in sports have been making he year 2020 will go in the 11with disciplines, requisite suchsafety as measuresathletics, desperate attempts to get players of us.history The COVID-19of world sportspandemic as hockey, badminton, boxing, hasa year led ofto eithernew scenario cancellation for allor necessary and important safety postponement of domestic and guidelines.back on Butthe onefield, has tofollowing be very international championships tableshooting, tennis. weightlifting, archery, cycling, fencing, wrestling and seen many top sportspersons, Professional leagues — from careful because recently we have biggestas well assporting training extravaganzasessions all football, rugby to basketball — men’s tennis player Serbia’s —over the the Tokyo world, Olympics including 2020. the Novakincluding Djokovic, the world’s have top-ranked tested It is an unprecedented crisis for mankind, as one has never around the world have started seen such a spread of a virus before, and an unparalleled

forcedchallenge to forbe inthe ‘housesports arrest’-world. likeAthletes situations and to savecoaches themselves were from the virus.

Time is changing and after almost four months of stand still, type

cancellations in February-March), situations (postponements and the sporting events and training campswe are on fortunate the path enoughof resumption. to see Empty seats are seen in the Signal Iduna Park without spectators during the The Indian government has given German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 in permission to resume training Dortmund, Germany

104 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 New Dates for Tokyo Olympics 2020

cancellation of some editions of the Olympic The two World Wars of the 20th century led to Olympics history that the Games are postponed Games, but this will be the first time in the dangerous as they can be interpreted in different because of a virus. Comparisons are always

right,ways. consideringTo compare the lossesa postponement and human sufferingwith a cancellation due to a World War would not be

Tokyo is getting ready for Olympics on new dates in 2021 havethat anever war brings seen such with ait. spread What weof acan virus say before,is that and a humongous challenge for the Olympic Games.it is The an unprecedentedIOC in March took crisis the for historic humankind, decision as we to postpone the Games, scheduled to open in Tokyo on 24 July 2020, until 23 July to 8 August 2021. It is the first peacetime postponement of the Games. The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games have also been rescheduled to take place between 24 August and 5 September 2021. of 11,000 athletes from all 206 National Olympic Committees, from the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, According to the IOC, “A cancellation of the Olympic Games would have destroyed the Olympic dream and for all the people who are supporting the athletes, including coaches, doctors, officials, training partners, friends and families. It would also have destroyed the work and the enthusiasm of our great Japanese hosts, with Tokyo being the best-prepared city for the Games ever. The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 now will be celebrated from 23 July until 8 August 2021. It is a very complex event to organise, and its postponement is a real challenge. It is like a huge jigsaw puzzle where every piece is theimportant 33 International and must fit Federations, together. It isthe the 206 responsibility National Olympic of the Tokyo Committees, 2020 Coordination athletes, sponsors Commission and to work with all the stakeholders involved, starting with the Organising Committee Tokyo 2020, broadcasters to work on all the questions coming from the decision taken to postpone the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.” Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission. We all agree that the Olympic Games in Tokyo can stand as “A dedicated Task Force — called “Here we go” — has been established under the umbrella of the a beacon of hope to the world during these troubled times. Humankind currently finds itself in a dark tunnel. The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and the Olympic flame can be a light at the end of this tunnel. Therefore, it was agreed that the Olympic flame will stay in Japan. It was also agreed that the Games will keep the name ‘Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020’. Hosting the Games in 2021 is already very symbolic, and we hope the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be a celebration of humankind.” On the question what will happen if the pandemic is still not contained by summer 2021, IOC said, “We will follow the risk management and mitigation measures set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for mass gatherings in the context of the Gamescurrent only COVID-19 in a safe outbreak. environment We will forcontinue all people to follow involved. the principle We are that has driven all our decisions so far, which is to organise Olympic

committed to following this principle in the future”. March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 105 positive for COVID-19, Djokovic took part in a tennis exhibition series he organised in Serbia and Croatia. The Pakistan Cricket

ten players have tested positive forBoard COVID-19 has also ahead confirmed of the team’s that departure for England on June 28.

experiencingIn the wake a bizarreof the momentCOVID-19 in itsoutbreak, history. Usethe of moreworld and moreis Dortmund’s Erling Braut Haaland celebrates after scoring a goal during a Bundesliga match against Schalke 04, Dortmund, Germany, May 16, 2020 modern technology, scientific training and health awareness sports. Athletes have to be more suffering from the virus globally. has taken over the world of competing. One mistake and it Insavvy February-March, during the lockdown. governments conscious while practising and could be ‘Game over’ for them. During the lockdown, most of several countries, including terraceof the athletesof theirwere forcedhouses. to India, stopped all sports activities There are more questions and Applicationsdo workouts like in Zoom the orroom Google or such as competitions, meetings and training on sportsgrounds best’ and ‘light at the end of the thing’ replacing ‘team meetings’. fewer answers. ‘Hope for the tunnel’ are the most commonly NoMeet doubt, have nowmost become of the the top‘in- used phrases in these times athletes are gadget-freaks and due to the lockdown. There is enjoy social media platforms to conducivecomplete uncertaintyto international when travel, the trainingsituation and will for become the competitions normal and of crisis. We are witnessing a doors of stadiums have been friends and fans, but using these to be organised smoothly. But new sporting world where the shut for sports and turned into applicationsstay in touch on with a daily their basis family, is quarantine centres or hospitals for saving the lives of those before. They have turned tech- the fact remains that sports will something which was never done find it very difficult to get back to the same form and shape when

Aijwal FC’s local player rig hand made Novak Djokovic, who was tested positive for COVID-19 dumbbells

106 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 and Nicaragua continued Thomas Bach, has said, “We have sporting activities, although

precautions. On the other hand, sportsto be vigilant at the and Tokyo patient,” Olympics Asked countrieswith mandatory like restrictionsTajikistan and involvinghow the IOC human-to-humanmight manage Turkmenistan stopped sporting action like football for a brief available by then, Bach said, contact without a vaccine being

Thomas Bach, President IOC Thisperiod is buta very have important now resumed. year for the“We’re necessary one year decisions away from at these the Games, and then we will take all international championships right time relying on the advice they have been busy preparing athletes all over the world, as after discussing it in our joint of the World Health Organisation, athletesstart again are in hoping full swing. for the Nobody best. task force. But I think nobody can knows when this will happen but championshipswith the dream in manyof winning sports. at this moment in time really give medals in the Olympics and world The American Ultimate Fighting The president of International you a reliable answer on how the about a sense of normalcy, Olympic Committee (IOC), Mr. world will look like in July 2021. signallingChampionship the resumption(UFC) has brought of the action. The UFC 249 became the first major competition in live resume action, although behind firstever contact-sport event to medical precautions. The event, closed doors and with full praise from US President Donald watched by the world, even drew ‘important’. The South Korean footballTrump, wholeague, mentioned K-League, italso as resumed on 8th May.

In Germany, the Bundesliga football league system restarted from 16th May. With players resuming individual training at their respective clubs and everything falling in place,

League to restart matches in the Bundesliga is the first European La Liga restarted on June 11, but postcoronavirus world. Spain’s without spectators. someHowever, countries amidst thatthe continuedCOVID-19 professionalpandemic theresports. were Belarus also

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 107 Prohibition of saliva to shine the cricket ball

use saliva to shine the ball. The International Cricket Cricket players the world over will not be permitted to

Council (ICC) has confirmed a few interim changes to its playing regulations, which include the ban on ofthe COVID-19 use of saliva during to shinea Test the match. ball andIt is teams aimed will at mitigatingbe allowed theto replacerisks posed players by displayingthe COVID-19 symptoms virus

and protect the safety of players and match officials Anilwhen Kumble-led cricket resumes. Cricket CommitteeThe ICC Chief in this Executives’ regard. Committee (CEC) ratified recommendations from the The ICC has made it clear that if a player does “We are living through extraordinary times and the recommendations the Committee have made are interim

periodapply salivaof adjustment to the ball, for the the players, umpires but will subsequent manage the situation with some leniency during an initial measures to enable us to safely resume cricket in a way Cricketthat preserves Committee. the essence of our game whilst protecting instances will result in the team receiving a warning. everyone involved,” said Anil Kumble, Chairman, ICC aA 5-runteam canpenalty be issued to the up batting to two side. warnings Whenever per innings saliva but repeated use of saliva on the ball will result in symptoms of COVID-19 during a Test match. In line to clean the ball before play recommences. The ICC Teams will be allowed to replace players displaying Cricketis applied Committee to the ball, heard the umpiresfrom the will Chair be ofinstructed the ICC with concussion replacements, the Match Referee will regarding the elevated risk of the transmission of the applicableapprove the in nearest ODIs and like-for-like T20s. replacement. However, virusMedical through Advisory saliva, Committee and after thatDr PeterICC agreed Harcourt that the regulation for COVID-19 replacements will not be the use of saliva to shine the ball be prohibited. The In another change, the requirement to appoint neutral ICC also noted the medical advice that it is highly unlikely that the virus can be transmitted through match officials will be temporarily removed from the to shine the ball. playing conditions for all international formats owing sweat and saw no need to prohibit the use of sweat to the current logistical challenges with international travel. The ICC will be able to appoint locally based match officials from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Officials and the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Officials.

keepingThe CEC inhas mind also confirmedthat there anmay additional be less unsuccessfulexperienced DRS review for each team in each innings of a match, of unsuccessful appeals per innings for each team to umpires on duty at times. This will increase the number

three for Tests and two for the white-ball formats.

The ICC Cricket Operations team will support Match hearingReferees remotely when processing via video breaches link. of Code of Conduct, and a neutral Elite Panel match referee will conduct any

108 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 entering the ground, but also everytime there is a break; and Some questions that are each one of them carries his/her being asked Which is the safest sport to start early — athletics, archery, shooting, forcedown bottle to change and ensure the grip they on don’tstick regularlyshare. Hockey and theirplayers temperature are also is recorded after the session theweightlifting, country — badminton, basketball, squash,football, tablehockey, tennis volleyball and tennisand doubles — as non-contact sports? How and when should team sport resume in closely everyday to check for anyas wellirregularities. while it isThis monitored is the in badminton, tennis, and table tennis? How and when should water sport resume in the country — swimming, sailing, rowing, incanoeing, the country? and kayaking?. How and when should contact sports — ‘new normal’ for them and they boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo and wushu — resume Rijijuneed hasto followclearly it.stated Minister that “thefor national coaching camp to ensure governmentYouth Affairs had & Sportsto tread Mr. a careful Kiren have to be patient at the same compliance and implementation path to ensure that athletes timeSo we to have take to the be vigilantright measures and we of all protective measures for the remained free from COVID-19. to ensure the safe participation safety of athletes and staff. Any A roadmap is being prepared by athlete found to be in violation the Sports Ministry for a phased resumption of national camps for of everybody in the Games”. from training immediately and Olympic-bound athletes, starting of the protocols will be removed Affairs,According sports to the newstadiums guidelines and at NIS Patiala and SAI Centre in issued by the Ministry of Home reported to Hygiene Officer Bengaluru.with the athletes If something currently happens based across the country to host for “appropriate action”. complexes are allowed to open conductedSportspersons in aresmall adopting groups new to ensureguidelines: social training distancing; sessions players are to top athletes it will be a setback formatches athletes but inwithout the country. spectators. The consciously rub their hands COVID-19and so we casesare careful for our and athletes that’s SportsThe new Authority rules are of a Indiabig relief has why there are no positive said that for the safety of players a COVID-19 Task Force must with sanitizers, not just before till now. Players are the pride of be constituted at each training Doubts over social centre to guide and monitor all distancing, body contact centres. The Task Force also has totrainees ensure andthat staffeach athletewithin andthe and touch balls provides a signed consent form Some doubts that crop up. Remember, training equipment is National Sports Federation (NSF) of all the limitations and risks maintain social distancing in track events? Since players have to declaring their acknowledgement touchshared, tennis and athletes balls, willshuttlecocks, touch them. table How tennis can a sportballs, likebasketballs, athletics current circumstances. According associated with training under precautions for training, the handballs and volleyballs, how safe would it be to resume these Standardto the laid Operating down protocols Procedure and sports and when? In sports like basketball, football, handball, hockey, kabaddi, kho-kho and wrestling, which see body contact, howsafe would it be to resume training and competition in these (SOP) demands the NSFs to disciplines? As each sport has its own distinctive features, the appoint a Hygiene Officer in every questions will vary from discipline to discipline. March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 109 It is too early to look for return to A classification of disciplines national and international Individual sports: Archery, Athletics, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, federationsaction, but withinhave its guidelines,produced Golf, Shooting, Squash, Table tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting, etc. Team sports: back to something resembling Kabaddi, Kho-kho, Volleyball, etc. a process showing the route Basketball, Cricket, Football, Handball, Hockey, to a carefully managed regime Contact sports: normalcy. It starts with a return Wushu, etc. Boxing, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, Wrestling, distancing measures in place. The Water sports: of training sessions, with social Water Polo, etc. of domestic competitions once Canoeing and Kayaking, Rowing, Sailing, Swimming, localnext andstage international will be resumption air travel

neighbouring nations. Trans- starts, followed by travel between our country and so we can’t risk Mr.anything.” Rijiju very clearly said, continental competition will afollow, return and to finally,normal once competitions. a vaccine Thereis in place, is no it istimescale hoped there for will these be “Preference will be given to athletes who have qualified for vary from country to country. Tokyo Olympics or those who stages to be reached and it will have to go for Olympic qualifiers”. There is no doubt that the butHe added:this shouldn’t “Other makeathletes them might sad have to wait till at least September in the foreseeable future. Whenevents competitionswill look very do differentresume, as everyone will come back to the Mr. Kiren Rijiju, Minister for Youth field in a planned manner. Players Affairs & Sports But everyone can’t be given conscious of safety measures that requested to allow them to play. of athletes and coaches losing organisers will need to be hugely motivation is real. Since there are permission together as it would no sports activities, sponsorships andwill theneed fans to safe.be implemented While everyone in be risky and so top athletes who and media coverage have isorder excited to keep about the sports the workforcereturn to have qualified for the Olympics given preference. No need to be substantially reduced. When action, one must realise that this or have to go for qualifiers will be sad for other athletes. Federations there are thousands of positive needs an act of counterbalancing COVID-19 cases and so many casualties across the country, the understanding that thisare requestingchallenge andis forI know everyone how priority of sports has diminished. together with the knowledge and boring it is without sports, but In the present scenario, one priority and one that transcends planning in that manner and the everythingand wellness else. is a much bigger and we will have to wait. We are resumehas to sportsfind out activities, what thetraining way Rakesh Thapliyal roadmap is ready.” andforward eventually is and how competitions. athletes can Editor, Khel Today magazine (Formerly Sports Head, Hindustan), New Delhi Training of the athletes was at Plot No. 241, Sector 2B It goes without saying that theythe peakhad towhen stop thetheir lockdown training to be guided by the Central and Vaishali, Ghaziabad immediately,was enforced althoughon 25th Marchit differed and stateresumption governments of sports and thewill public have Uttar Pradesh-201010 from sport to sport. The risk E-mail : [email protected]

health policies laid down.

110 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Cross-Section

Gains of the Lockdown MADAN MOHAN

n the late evening of 24 at the time of commencement from the highly contagious virus’ OMarch 2020, the Government of India announced a 21-day of lockdown the number of theinfluence spread and of the related disease fatality. and this In observed from the midnight. confirmed COVID-19 cases in the periodfact, the had lockdown been gainfully slowed utilised down Barringnationwide essential lockdown services, to thebe country was close to only 600. But by the government to ramp up movement, and activities of countswith the oftime SARS-CoV-2 the number positive started its health infrastructure and entire 1.3 billion population cases,swelling. a commoner Looking atmay the feel large that

measure to arrest the spread the transmission of the disease; disease.generate new resources to take were restricted as a preventive the lockdown could not contain up the fight against COVID-19 in later stages, gradually some all. But the situation is quite On 22 May 2020 Dr. V.K. Paul, of virus, SARS-CoV-2. However, perhaps it was not effective at Member NITI Aayog, and Mr. the public for resuming some try to communicate logically, Praveen Srivastava, Secretary to economicrelaxations activities.were granted Initially, to different. In this article we shall Govt. of India, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, how many people could be saved jointly addressed a press conference at the National Media Centre to explain the impact and

advantages of the lockdown. It was mentioned by them that patientswhen the onlockdown the 26 beganth March the growth rate of the COVID-19

was around 15.8 per cent. Itrd Aprilcontinued reached to grow to 22.6the sameper centway atfor its the maximum. next few daysAfter andthis onpeak, 3

the effect of lockdown started steadyreflecting fall. upon By 5andth May the itgrowth came rate of COVID-19 witnessed a

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 111 the overall number of corona- positivedown to cases5.5 per has cent. increased, Although its

eithergrowth 15.8 rate per has cent decreased. or 22.8 per If cent,the growth at the ratetime hadof beginningremained and peak periods, respectively,

have reached millions. the number of cases today would NITI Aayog and Ministry of Statistics assigned the task of modelling techniques. By Confinement of the comparing their extrapolation disease orassessing agencies. the Theyeffect analysedof lockdown the to five different groups of experts with the actual status, it was statistical models using various have been 78,000 more a steady rise in the number of evident that there would Though apparently there was availablesituation inputs.with the On help the basisof their of deaths in the absence of positive COVID-19 cases during their analysis the government preventive containment and has reached the conclusion that mitigation strategies during reality, restricted human activities the lockdown period, but in

saved from getting COVID-19 helped a lot in breaking the the lockdown. and their home confinement infectionaround 14-19 and also lakh approximately people were disease transmission chain. Despite being a large nation, Assessment-3: In a similar manner, results derived from the analysis the spread of infection in India 37,000-78,000 lives were saved. has mostly remained contained

The Boston Consulting Group Assessment-1: COVID-19done by casestwo independentand around than 80 per cent of the active within certain areas. More 68,000economists deaths show thathave 23 beenlakh on analysis of reproduction to 5 states — Maharashtra, Tamil took two approaches based rate of COVID-19. Their study Nadu,COVID-19 Delhi, cases Gujarat, were and just Madhya limited averted by lockdown. Pradesh. Above all, more than 60

beenshows 36-70 that inlakh the more absence cases. of Assessment-4: A study by independent lockdown, there would have experts, including retired per cent COVID-19 cases were Chennaiconfined Ahmedabad,within the boundariesand Thane. So indeed, the lockdown lakh cases and 51,000 deaths lakh lives. They based their Tenof five states cities — Maharashtra,— Mumbai, Delhi,Tamil saved between 1.2 and 2.1 havescientists, been alsoaverted. shows that 15.9 analysis on the assumption Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar transmitting the disease to 3.5 Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and that one infected person was The Ministry of Statistics and persons on the average. Assessment-5: Karnataka — had 90 per cent of Programme Implementation the total cases. and Indian Statistical Institute have estimated that around 20 Assessment-2: lakh cases and 53,773 deaths quantitative analysis of deaths Public Health Foundation have been averted because of modelling the number of dueOfficials to COVID-19. also Output of theforward total, deathsof India in (PHFI)the countryworked andon its states using statistical measures. lockdown and other preventive 80 per cent deaths were reported in five states — Maharashtra, 112 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, West life support system. Each district Bengal, and Delhi. Nearly 60 per had understanding, nor enough of the country has at least one being a new disease, we neither such hospital. the cities of Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune,cent of Delhi,the deceased and Kolkata. were from On resources to fight with at the time the other hand, around 70 awhen better the position disease in enteredcomparison our Similarly, we have now 2,402 per cent of the total deaths toboundaries. many other Lockdown affected tookcountries, us to relatively less serious patients COVID-19 health centres where occurred in ten cities. Besides the can be treated. These level-2 aforementioned cities, the other concerned. hospitals have 1,38,652 beds as far as the doubling rate was Chennai, and Surat. As many as 3.24 lakh beds are five were Indore, Thane, Jaipur, Availability of one availableequipped within both oxygen the support. above million hospital beds categories. Doubling duration COVID-19 being a communicable Asymptomatic positive and mild Before the 24th disease, its patients cannot be COVID-19 cases can be treated treated in general hospitals. So in 2,402 level-3 designated government, the March, doubling when ratethe lockdown was announced by the hospitals in the country. These COVID-19 care centres have 6 3.4 days, meaning thereby the the hospitals with isolation wards equipment and trained medical lakh beds and can take care of numberof positive of COVID-19positive casesCOVID-19 was equipped with proper protective

not require much medical care in just 3.4 days. Doubling rate staff were needed to handle the exceptthe COVID-19 isolation. patients who do startedpatients decreasingwas getting after doubled that patients, but we did not have any and by the 15th of May, it came begansuch exclusive to spread hospitals in March. or wards Together, all the three categories in the beginning when the disease of hospitals have 9.74 lakh beds quite obviously indicate that the and the number goes up to down to 13.3 days. The facts dedicated hospitals for COVID-19 the rate of transmission of the patientsBut now and the these country hospitals has 1,093 have lockdown has successfully slowed 10 lakh if we add the facilities rate relieved sudden stress from 31,250 beds having intensive availableAccording with to thethe armed information forces. thedisease. government Slowing of propagationmachinery care1,85,306 facility. beds These which hospitals include are provided by the Ministry of

intended for the treatment of COVID-19 patients sought and the time was utilised to also equipped with ventilators medicalHealth, lesshelp thanat a critical5 per stagecent review and ramp up the basic require either intensive care or infrastructure for fighting against of those critical patients who Among the rest of 95 per cent the new disease. Obviously, patients,where intensive only a care small was numbers needed. of patients needed continuous medical attention having co-

isolated.morbidities, while 85 per cent of them were required to be Training In the beginning, health

treatment of COVID-19 patients. personnel were not aware of the

But at the moment we have lakhs March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 113 of doctors, paramedical staff, and persons and their last rites, use of PPE kits and face masks, and trained by the experts online, the treatment of patients in non- beingmasks, manufacturedwhich we used locallyto import in evenhealth at workers the village who level. have been COVID hospitals. It even includes largefrom otherquantities. countries, Manufacture are now the protocol required during of Sanitizers and other related they could identify the suspectedASHA travel by all modes and social products have also got a sudden workers have been trained so that distancing protocol at public boost because of the high Ministry of Government of demand. IndiaCOVID-19 is continuously patients. The imparting Health places. Following these protocols training to health staff through spread of the disease. Testing its online courses. will certainly help in preventing

PPE kits facilities for COVID-19 have Guideline/Protocol alsoLikewise, been increaseddiagnostic and testingtoday, manufacturing unit for PPE kits throughout the country around Indian Council of Medical IndiaThere at thewas timenot of outbreaka single of 1.1 lakh samples are being ResearchMeanwhile, and withother institutes,the help theof the disease and medical staff tested every day. Currently, throughout the country did not 610 laboratories, including 178 appropriate guidelines on each in the private sector, have a Ministry of Health has prepared to protect themselves. In the capacity to test 1.4 lakh samples SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. These have sufficient number of kits in a day using the RT-PCR guidelinesand every incorporateaspect related protocols with 109 companies have started makingshort span 3 lakh of a pieces few months of PPE now, kits increased to 2 lakh tests daily in to isolation, treatment, home neartechnique. future. The capacity will be quarantine,needed to be travel, followed transportation in regard reached in a stage of exporting of dead bodies of infected theseevery day.kits. TheSimilarly, country N-95 has nowface (Translated by Pramod Pande) Common Hygiene Products and the Stories Behind Them SUSHEELA SRINIVAS

as soap, sanitizers, masks, and contagious disease COVID-19, gear to arrest disease It is without doubt that the highly transmissionsanitising or wearingappears protective to be long have they been in use to evident to us today. It is surprising preventgloves came the spreadinto existence? of infections? How posingcaused unprecedentedby a new coronavirus, challenges When did they emerge out of towill humanitygo down inand history bringing for the surgical rooms to become a thesethat until practices. recently Modern we were hygiene not safety net for public health? measuresso aware tookof the ages importance to evolve and of hygienethe world measures to a grindingare becoming halt. lifesavingAmidst the tools chaos, and aour few frontline simple dark about the apparent link for granted today, masks and defences in the battle against the for centuries, doctors were in the Much as we take these products contagion. even during surgeries until the between hygiene and infections. lategloves nineteenth were unheard century! of And,— health and hygiene products such surprisingly, even the cheap and Have you ever wondered how The significance of handwashing, 114 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 readily available soap got its due cleaner and free from grime as a scouring agent to clean their importance as a germ-buster pots, pans and statues, by AD 79, the Romans turned soap-making much better than washing with into a thriving industry. An entire only in the past few decades. Inscriptionsjust water. on clay containers and fascinating events that led from around 2800 BC provide the ruins of Pompeii. toHistory the discovery is rife with of theseextraordinary hygiene evidence that the Babylonians soap factory was unearthed at stories. engravings clearly indicate their and by AD 1200, France and items. Here are some of those formulawere the offirst mixing to make animal soap. fats,The ItalyThe soapbecame industry the grew primaryrapidly, Soap Soap is so commonplace that wood ash and water to get soap. commoditymanufacturing andcentres. accessible However, yarnThe productfor textiles. so Althoughobtained soapwas bathing soap was an expensive hygiene has existed forever. used to wash wool and cotton commoners still scrubbed their Onwe assumethe contrary, its role soap in personalhas had only to the rich and elite (the a long journey from its initial bewas used widely for bathing.used, civilisationsBy around discovery to the present-day use. 1500were BC,still the unaware Egyptians that too it begancould forbodies in-house with sand, use, pumiceby boiling or ash). fats It took several thousand years to soap-making by combining A few made their own crude soap be recognised as a simple and animal and vegetable fats, salts ash. economical product that could from their livestock and wood help to keep ourselves clean. and water. However, along with washing cloth, they found that replacedSoap grew by popular vegetable in oils.the 16thThe Another century went by before soap had clinical uses as well — Arabscentury developed when animal aromatic fats wereand it was realised that soap could Whereas,to wash sores the Greeks and skin combined diseases. lye exotic soaps by adding olive and destroy germs as well, in turn, not until the 1980s that soap thyme oils. helping us stay healthy. It was agent against infectious diseases (hydroxides) and ash and used it andwas promotedintroduced as aas public a primary health measure in the wake of outbreaks. accidentally.Soap is more Asthan the five story thousand goes, years old, and it was discovered clothesonce, in in ancientthe Tiber Rome, River, whenthey noticedsome women a clay-like went tosubstance wash their in the water. The fat from animal sacrifices made on a nearby hill would run down into the river, mix with the river water, and turn into the unknown material. Although the Romans were unaware that the substance was soap, the women noticed to their The word soap is derived from the Celtic notation of ‘saipo’ (Credit: vectorstock) delight that it made their washing easier. In essence, clothes were March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 115 Modern soap

that the surplus availability of oilseedsIt was not made until soap the an19th affordable century commodity and a personal hygiene product. In 1837, an attracted to water English businessman Robert attracted to fat

ByHudson the introducedend of the the century, world to soap powder and detergents. Pears developed a high-quality, English businessman Andrew The structure of a soap molecule (Credit: vox.com)

as a mandatory procedure before establishedtransparent brand.soap, which gained popularity, and became a well- examining patients. scornedhandwashing and in poorlyclinical practices.received However, their advocacy was that Eugene Chevreul, a French after the germ theory emerged a chemist,It was also deciphered around the the same science time coupleamong oftheir decades peers. later It thatwas many only agentBy the in next clinical century, procedures. soap was In of soap, explaining the process of 1980,well establishedthe US faced as aa seriescleaning of As modern medicine evolved, food-borne disease outbreaks. began propagating handwashing. saponification in soap formation. His work brought to light the fatty salts, glycerol and fats. handwashing was incorporated It was then that the Centres for chemical relationship between In 1916, the Germans developed How soap gets rid of germs Soap has a unique molecular structure resembling a pin. The commercialthe first synthetic and industrial detergents, use of soap.spurring a new era for both ‘head’ end is hydrophilic (water- loving) while the ‘tail’ end is After the First World War, Procter hydrophobic (water-repelling) butGerms is attracted such as tothe lipids coronavirus (fats). are usually covered by a & Gamble, an American company, soapmaking method. They fatty outer layer. When soap modified the existing laborious developed a quicker process encounters them, the fat-loving tails get attracted to the lipid How soap acts on viruses (Credit: vox.com) processby which is sosoap robust could that, be tomade this within a day. Their soapmaking protectivelayer of the layer virus. is broken,They wedge the virus gets denatured or destroyed. their method. through and pry apart the lipid outer covering and when the outer day, several manufacturers follow

The hygiene link The hydrophilic pins cluster together to form what are called Until the mid-1800s, doctors ‘micelles’ which trap the broken fat bits. When soap is mixed with water, the hydrophilic ends act as emulsifiers dispersing the micelles in water, thereby washing away the germs. were unaware of hand hygiene! Florence Nightingale championed Soap takes a little time to chop away the fatty bits, and hence, the Physician Ignaz Semmelweis and 20-second scrubbing mantra for washing hands. 116 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 hands before surgery. Presently, hospital hand rubs must conform

eliminate 99.99 per cent of the germs.to specified Further, standards contamination so that they

infraredwhile using sensors them to theis pumpsreduced to dispenseby fitting the elbow-operatedgel. or

Sanitizers entered the commercial

based company introduced it undermarket the first brand in 1997 name when of Purell. a US- History of soap (Credit: realmofhistory.com) The formulation and portable Disease Control and Prevention packaging revolutionised hand endorsed the importance disinfect hands in the hospital was looking for easier ways to general public. scale to arrest the spread of in short supply. When she came hygiene in many ways for the theseof handwashing infections. onSince a publicthen, acrosswherever the water information and time werethat The demand for sanitizers rose alcohol could be delivered in gel during outbreaks like SARS, safetyhandwashing measure withto curb soap illnesses and it to develop the hand sanitizer. swine flu and other epidemics. duringwater hasepidemics. been mandated as a Sadly,form, shethere quickly is workedno concrete upon in 2009, sanitizers turned into a However, with the H1N1 outbreak evidence of a published paper or regular commodity. Sanitizers patent credited in her name for Today, sanitizers are a common Unlike the age-old soap, its origins of the sanitizer are still cousin, the hand sanitizer is debatable.her discovery. Owing to this, the sight everywhere: from handbags just over 50 years old. Lupe to public spaces where soap and Sanitizers have found extensive categoriseswater are not handy.alcohol-based In fact, use in hospital environments as sanitizersthe World underHealth theOrganisation list of formulatingHernandez, a thestudent hand nurse sanitizer from antiseptic rubs and an alternative essential medicines needed in a inCalifornia, the year USA,1966. is Reportedly, credited with she to antiseptic soaps to disinfect health system.

What is a sanitizer made of? Alcohol has antiseptic properties

purposes since the 14th century. Theand primarywas usedingredient for of clinicala good quality sanitizer is 60-95 per cent alcohol. Usually, a combination of isopropyl alcohol and ethanol,

is used. Glycerine and fragrances arewater, added and toglycol make or the glycerol sanitizer gel The hand sanitizer (Credit: cnn.com) more hand-friendly.

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 117 The right way to sanitize hands

Just as with soap, there is a Sanitizer Bottle Sanitizer Drip Sanitizer Spray Public Sanitizer Applyspecific a way blob to ofuse the the gel sanitizers. on the palm of one hand. Then rub both palms vigorously such that

thoroughly. Palm to Palm Fingers Interlaced Back of Hands Fingernails it covers the palms and fingers Leave the alcohol to dry naturally.

Gloves We cannot think of a surgeon

Thumbs Wrists Rub Until Dry Disinfected Hands

The right way to use sanitizers (Credit: istock) doctorsperforming and an patients operation safe without from gloves, can we? Gloves keep both Whereas alcohol-free sanitizers Sanitizers can eliminate many infections. Shockingly, until the end of 1800s, surgeons never the antiseptic formulation not 100 per cent fool-proof usuallyare made contains for specific benzalkonium purposes, protectionpathogens. againstHowever, diseases. they Since are patients. wore gloves while treating their chloride or triclosan. Such sanitizers cannot clean grime and

for longer durations on the skin. theory came to light, Sir Joseph Around this time when the germ sanitizers work well when left choice.grease, handwashing with soap Lister, the famous British surgeon, based sanitizers, the alcohol-free and water is any day a better formulationsHowever, compared are not effectiveto alcohol- on a broad spectrum of pathogens. Did you know? Moreover, the absence of alcohol itself poses a contamination losses until the 2000s. problem. • Sanitizer-making companies found the product running into

Action on germs • one However, among when the most sanitizers sought-after became purchases available even for during the generalregular Alcohol evaporates quickly and times.public as a hygiene tool, the sales began to rise. They are now has a drying effect. It is this property that comes to use in its sales of hand sanitizers globally skyrocketed, rising by tenfold. action against disease-causing • According to PTI, amidst the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the microbes. Alcohol kills bacterial cells by destroying their cell membrane and dissolving the • India too saw a surge in demand and high pricing for sanitizers proteins. On viruses, the alcohol manufacturingin the wake of thequality present and pandemic.affordable Thesanitizers Council in of their Scientific labs. disrupts the outer lipid layer. The Theseand Industrial formulations Research not only (CSIR) met rosethe in-houseto the consumptionoccasion by higher the alcohol content, the demand but also catered to the general public through their more potent is the sanitizer in technology transfer initiative. killing germs.

118 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 hands. It was in due course that infections.Halstead realisedThus, so evolvedthat using the all-importantgloves was reducingstandard itemsurgical for surgeries.

During epidemics, the use of Vinyl Gloves Nitrile Gloves Latex and nitrile are the do not protect were originally made for only common gloves that you from viruses people with latex protect against viruses surfaces and the user’s hands, like HIV, Hepatitis, allergies therebygloves forms arresting a barrier the contagion between or even the flu from entering the body. Different types of gloves (Credit: deliteconstruction.com) introduced sterilizing of surgical Masks Masks are a universally accepted before performing a surgery. Halstead’s fiancée Caroline hygiene tool for modern medical instruments with carbolic acid scrubbingHampton, annurse efficient in-charge, chief nurse, she was also his assistant. As the practice to prevent surgical He even devised a machine that frequently. In the process, her would spray a fine mist of the would handle the disinfectants evolved randomly; there is no measures dramatically reduced wound infections. Face masks sepsisliquid aroundduring theoperations, surgical site.earning His due to the harsh chemicals. hands would break out in rashes came into vogue in the surgical him the title of ‘Father of Modern exact date or period when they surgery’. Affected by her plight, Halstead surgeons Johann von Mikulicz Company to order a pair of thin field. Around 1897, European wrote to the Goodyear Rubber Radecki and C Fluegge are said another distinguished surgeon andFar awayfounder in the of United the States,Johns rubber gloves that would protect chemicals. to have covered their mouth with her hands while handling the surgeries. They believed that exhalationa gauze cloth and while conversation performing Hopkins Hospital, William during surgical procedures could immediately notice that in his combinationStewart Halstead, of carbolic improvised acid Surprisingly, Halstead did not transfer bacteria-laden droplets Lister’s procedures. He used a and mercuric chloride as a tool for medicine. Wearing gloves disinfectant. gesture of affection lay a powerful attracted the attention of others in to the wound area. other investigators propagated In the following years, several the hospital, who, too, preferred wearing them to protect their Homemade mask N95 respirator

Surgical mask

P100 respirator Full face respirator Self-contained breathing William Stewart Halstead — The man apparatus who introduced gloves into operation rooms (Credit: wikipedia.com) Types of masks (Credits: businessinsider.com)

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 119 the use of a face mask during but could also be sterilised and researchers have employed surgeries and suggested reused. different methods, such as high- speed photography or sampling chambers, to assess the range of droplet-borneimprovisations. sepsis Over thein patients.next two antibiotics in the 20th century, contamination. decades wearing masks reduced theHowever, use ofwith face themasks advent took ofa backseat. Surgeons assumed In recent times, post-operative contractingAlso, it was any observed disease fromthat the infections are again on the rise, patient.wearer, too, was protected from further escalating the importance these were not necessary as the of masks. By the 1920s, the single gauze thenew medicalmedicines fraternity would control realised the thatinfections. masks However,held their graduallyplace of importance in the prevention of by outbreaks over the ages. layers were gradually replaced by disease propagation. Once again, From“Humanity each hasof thesebeen episodes,ravaged multiple layer and fine-meshed masks. By the 1930s, filters and began surfacing through the in preventive methods and the deflectors were added to the 1950s.several models and modifications profoundwe have learntimpact valuable they lessonshave design; different materials were on containing the disease used between layers of gauze: transmission. By exercising a frame,rubber, plasticine used X-ray and films, cellulose, waxed to developed in 1961. The design collective responsibility and paper-covered by a gold-filled The first disposable mask was diligently practising these inside a plastic shell. The single- name a few. incorporated a cotton filter placed victorious in the battle against themeasures, coronavirus we pandemic.can emerge Stay thatWhen those the masksthat had were compressed screened touse the cover face. was The securedcontraption in place gave safe and healthy for their efficiency, it was found by elastic bands that fit snugly protection. This type of mask Susheela Srinivas is a Science notcotton only filters retained offered its abilitythe best to Evaluationhigh bacterial of filtration. face masks is Communicator, Evaluator, and Writer an ongoing study. Several Email: [email protected]

filter germs for extended periods Coping with Abnormal Times Dr. SUKANYA DATTA Mens sana in corpore sano is a threat. Work is on to study its also being ushered in. Social Latin phrase, usually translated distancing and, self-isolation as “a healthy mind in a healthy a gap in its genetic structure so thatmolecular a vaccine make-up may be and developed. to find vocabulary before the pandemic are words that were not in our phrasebody”. hasIt isendured supposedly because the it prayer for every newborn. The Scientists are working around the atstruck. keeping Today, the we virus recognise at bay. these It is mental health is as important as andclock masksto find havea medicine been thatpressed can ironicbehaviour because patterns human are efficientbeings physicalencapsulates health. an eternal truth: intowork. action Meanwhile, on an handunprecedented sanitizers scale to ensure that physically, a ‘social species.’ And being social The pandemic raging today has have always been proud of being focused our attention on health the pandemic has brought all matters as never before. The virus we remain infection free. always meant close interactions… manner, lifestyle changes are movements being restricted in However, in a not-so-obvious that to a halt with even free itself represents an unknown 120 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Longer durations of quarantine

traumaticwere associated stress withsymptoms, poorer avoidancemental health behaviours, specifically, and anger.post- Interestingly, the anger does not

lifted. go away when the quarantine is In this context, mental health concerns are valid. This is especially important since pressures created by the crisis are exacerbating existing mental

“A lot of anxiety is rooted in issues and creating new ones.

happenworrying — aboutcoronavirus the isunknown that on and waiting for something to Weatherley, spokesperson for thea macro mental scale,” health explained charity Mind.Rosie infection rate! Lancet, an attempt to slow down the onin itsthe wake. psychological In February impact 2020, of Parents are afraid to let their quarantinea review published— the separationin thoseSo, while receiving mental mentalstress ishealth on a kids play in the park; beloved and curtailed movement of treatmenthuge upswing, before it so the happens crisis thatare pets are being abandoned out of people potentially exposed to fear of cross-infection, marriages a contagious disease — during previous epidemics such as now receiving much less support SARS, found proof of a range or no support at all. Those who are being solemnised with the of psychological conditions, needwere areon atthe high verge risk of needingrequiring it ofbride the and family groom attend wearing the masks last from post-traumatic stress support but were not in acute ritesand justof a fourloved or one. five Theremembers are symptoms to confusion, anger, developed mental disorders as a depression, stress, insomnia and directurgently result now. ofMany the peoplecoronavirus have emotional exhaustion. Stressors disruption — e.g., social isolation, unforeseen threats…temporary included extended quarantine and increased stress. This is a (or permanent) unemployment, duration, fear of catching constraintspay cuts, workingof home-schooling/ from home infection, frustration, boredom, onlinewithout education adequate ofinfrastructure, children or cycle we have to break and it is only when we acknowledge that dentist in case of acute toothache suppliesinadequate information,of food/medicines financial there may be a problem that we even the pressures of finding a loss, worries about inadequate Tofind most a solution of us to COVID-19it. is a been overtaken by the COVID-19 inadequate basic supplies crisis.when all hospitals seem to have and societal stigma. Having is therefore one of uncertainty of frustration and the memory new threat. Our initial response No, these are not normal times. during quarantine was a source anxiety and anger up to six thecoupled inconvenience with fear of theof forced the and an enormous level of stress monthscontinued after to release.be associated with changesunknown. to To our that daily fear lives. is added It is And it has brought fear, worry

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 121 natural to feel lonely or afraid, even angry although logically

for our safety. It is undeniable we know that the lockdown is home felt like a holiday but as thethat daysthe firstpassed couple it began of days to feel at unbearable. We chafed to go out and resume our daily routine. Yet, that is not to be for many

Emergenciesweeks yet. Dr.Programme, Michael Ryan,has goneExecutive on record Director, to say, WHO “This Health virus

immediate threat level comes may never go away.” Even if the

fromdown, problems psychiatrists stored have up warned during of a “tsunami” of mental illness concerned that children and olderlockdown. adults They are arenot particularlygetting the support they need because of school closures, self-isolation and fear of hospitals.

We have to learn to live with attitudinal changes can help make getting up late, snacking through thethis situationreality. However,more bearable.certain distance will work wonders. with discarding the alarm clock, night. This disrupts the body’s has imposed restrictions on beyondOf course, our while control, it is acceptableencouraging to establishedthe day and dailysurfing bio-clock through andthe movements.For example, Under the the lockdowncondition acknowledge that some things are it is easy to feel isolated, helpless lead to a lot of anxiety. itself is the precursor of many and lonely. Some may suffer constant thoughts about it will may lead to insomnia which intense anxiety. The trick is not to deny that some things are issues. Thus, WHO recommends beyond our control but to actively simpleThe World recommendations Health Organisation that earlierthat we and get also up adhereand go toto regularbed at (WHO) has published a list of mealaround timings; the same just time like asbefore. we did It For example, if feeling socially focus on things we can control. routinecan be followedas far byas everyone.possible. meals should be nutritious and phone/video call to a loved one. The first is to stick to our daily notgoes junkwithout food. sayingThis helpsthat the cut-off and lonely, we can make a the structured pattern of daily body to maintain an even keel of During the lockdown period, functioning. A structured routine The conversation will be good for access to a phone, just stepping longer the pressure to take the both parties. For those without up to the gate/door and having childroutine to breaksschool down.or even There get ready is no prevent them from becoming ‘cranky’will also benefitbecause the routines kids and helpgive into a chaotic pattern starting order, predictability, and a sense a conversation albeit with raised for office. It is easy to descend voices while maintaining proper 122 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 take the opportunity tofor childrenoverindulge who mayas

from home. their parents work We should also remind ourselves not to get stressed by hysterical reporting

there is a lot of misinformation/fakeof sensational news;

rounds. We have to avoidnews panicmaking by relying the

from trusted sources ofon information.news emanating While

the restrictions imposed on us. news can spread like wildfire via social Timeof control must over be whatcreated is happening. for some our thoughts spiral out of control media, we have to keep our feet Usually when we feel anxious, hand-heldon the ground devices. and notOn bethe swayed other of catastrophic outcomes. Doing by fake news showing up on our forexercise, many, workgetting and the dailyrest. quotaSince somethingand we end enjoyableup imagining directs all sorts the regular walks have been ruled out correctinghand, we misinformationcan take back onpower our It is recommended therefore thought processes. into our own hands by actively of exercise has become difficult. brain away from such negative satisfaction and serve society too. social media pages. This will give minutesthat we doat leastsimple every yoga day. stances It is Staying at home often lulls us into or freehand exercises for a few Watching television is one way thinking that it is alright to neglect out the daily drudgery of routine hoggingof passing the theprime time. time, However, it can grooming ourselves. While not not enough that we simply carry with the reportage on COVID-19 being able to go to a salon may sunshine and some fresh air every senses. It is recommended that mean longer hair and beards, housework. We must get some sometimes overwhelm the neglecting to pay attention to or the balcony. Most importantly, day, even if it is from the window we minimise newsfeeds. If too the door for more ailments. The This may be listening to music, tomuch some news light is entertainmentmaking us anxious and standardpersonal hygieneof personal will just hygiene open we must do something we enjoy. or distressed, it is better to switch hobby of some kind or even somethingpainting, writing…indulgingas common place asa spentrestrict in newsfront ofto a justscreen once every or timesshould is not mandatory be allowed these to drop.days, going up to the terrace to see the daytwice must a day be to monitored keep abreast. mindfully. Time aWhile daily washingbath is alsohands a must.multiple As birds return in the evening. This We need to take regular breaks are combing hair and trimming nails. These may appear to be addictive video games for hours pleasurable activity will cheer us onfrom end. binge This watching is especially or playing true up and help fight the boredom insignificant or trivial details. and listlessness that comes with However, the contribution to March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 123 both physical health and mental Michael Farrell, Director, National non-communicable diseases Drug and Alcohol Research Centre and mental health disorders,

satisfaction is large. How nice it Wales, Sydney, says, “...people vulnerable to COVID-19. In infeels the when mirror. a fresh In a subtleand clean manner face at the University of New South particular,which can alcoholmake a compromisesperson more itlooks boosts back self-esteem at us as aand reflection signals the edge off their anxiety in the the body’s immune system and will often take alcohol to take increases the risk of adverse of it is, if people are taking it for health outcomes. Therefore, that even during the lockdown that,short insteadterm….[but] of reducing the paradox their people should minimise their we are as well-groomed and anxiety over the medium term alcohol consumption at any Socialpresentable contact as weis usedimportant. to be. If it actually makes the anxiety time, and particularly during the our physical movements are COVID-19 pandemic. Fear and misinformation have generated a affectsworse. It’sthe likebrain’s a bouncemessengers back dangerous myth that consuming telephonerestricted, weand can online keep inchannels. regular oreffect.” neurotransmitters. This is because Initially,alcohol high-strength alcohol can kill Thiscontact is with particularly people close tohelpful us by as the blood alcohol level rises, the COVID-19 virus. It does not. Consuming any alcohol poses bereaved and need support and disorientation and euphoria. Yet, health risks, but consuming companionship.when we have beenSelf-isolation recently asour the mind body relaxesstarts eliminating and we feelthe high-strength ethyl alcohol doesn’t mean cutting off all communication. In truth, this feeling uncomfortable and even is the time, more than ever, to morealcohol stressed. from the system we start can(ethanol), result particularly in severe if ithealth has been adulterated with methanol, to share thoughts and feelings. remain connected…to listen and Thereconsequences, is includinganother death”.fallout our mood. aWHO range categorically of communicable states, “Alcohol and Chatting with loved ones enlivens consumption is associated with associated with alcohol abuse in

temptationHaving a lot to useof freerelaxants time often carries with it the example, alcohol and drugs becauseand thesestimulants…for are perceived as tools to address fear, anxiety, boredom, and

shouldsocial avoidisolation. at this However, time. If it isis not precisely possible towhat abstain, we

consumewe ought daily. to at least limit the amount of alcohol we

using alcohol and drugs as Doctors advise that we avoid

thea way virus of dealing has plunged this ‘vortex us. of uncertainty’ into which

124 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 escalating situation? No

the pit of depression? way to escape falling into There is!

One shortcut to happiness is to help others less fortunate. It lies in taking steps to

Itcontribute may mean in whicheverfeeding a strayway weanimal can or to offering society. a

Itglass may of mean water donating to a thirsty to thestranger community walking kitchen. home. It may mean asking sick or elderly neighbours if they need you to on about 400 individuals in of domestic abuse. The United gopick shopping up any foritem your (milk/bread/ household confined space. This is the risk of those taking part in it study item.medicines/vegetables) It may mean paying when youthe in domestic violence across hadIndia, signs showed of depression. that 30 perThis cent is a Nations has warned of a surge remarkably high rate considering are not online-savvy. If you feel that it included people from all youbills onlineare helpless for neighbours and cannot who vulnerablethe world toduring abuse, quarantine. especially Children and women are more lead to anxiety, panic attacks and walks of life. Depression can up the phone to say hello. suicidal tendencies. contribute in any way, just pick in small confined spaces. If faced shouldwith abuse, not hesitate or if insensing calling thefor There appears to be little sign potential of being abused, we distancing and quarantine of the pandemic loosening its The bottom line is: social family, a friend, a neighbour, the hold on society in the near social creatures. With help. Help may be sought from future. Apart from the physical communication,notwithstanding, empathywe remain and Thepolice issuesor even viaemanating a Helpline. from is the mental distress that comes fromdistress reading/hearingof being confined aboutthere takefellow-feeling, care of our we physical will emerge health escalating fear psychosis among victorious. Meanwhile, let us manylockdown people. areThis is fuellingnot limited an to how hard this virus has hit the as well as mental well-being by less fortunate. We would not be like anxiety, depression and following some simple steps. those with pre-existing conditions human if we did not feel the pain. obsessive compulsive disorder, pain and distress our minds Dr. Sukanya Datta And when we feel overwhelming Chief Scientist, CSIR the burden becomes too heavy H2/110, Shakuntala Park, Phase 1 levelsbut also of includes loneliness the elderlyand sense who tobear bear the andbrunt cracks of it appear.all. Slowly, So, Kolkata-700061 E-mail: [email protected] ofare helplessness. struggling withA limited heightened study

is there no way to break this

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 125 Research & Development

Quest for the Unknown Indian Research Labs Team up to Unlock the Secret of SARS-CoV-2

Dr. T.V. VENKATESWARAN

and second receptor-binding learnt a lot about the SARS-CoV-2 ACE2 receptor on the epithelial domain of the EBOV glycoprotein andIn the the past COVID-19, few months, but the we illness have cellsreceptor of thebinding human affinity respiratory to the organs, including lungs. Is this the only mechanism the virus WhileTIM-1 (a.k.a.in some HAVCR1). the infections of still remains baffling. Questions begging uses to infect human cells? Ebola SARS-CoV-2 are deadly, in others it is mild and in a large number answers host cell entry proteins. First, of cases just asymptomatic. Why thevirus hascholesterol two candidates transporter for of the virus SARS-CoV-2 has the We know that the spike protein it affects some virulently, while in Niemann–Pick C1 (NPC1) protein others it only causes few bouts of

This map, from nextstrain.org, shows how the virus travelled from one place to the next. As mutations took place at different geographical locations when the virus spread from place to place, the transmission can be visualised

126 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 genetic mutations. Further, the

samples would be collected from moderate,those who severeare asymptomaticand critical symptoms.and from those The whovirus show isolates mild,

typeswould andbe sequencedthe viral variants.to find any In theconnection second part,between the clinicalthe disease care

gathered. Some patients require data or hospital data would be This is a phylogenetic tree, made with genomic sequence of isolates deposited with nextstrain.org. In the image, each dot represents a sample and each colour patientsventilators, develop while life-threatening others can corresponds to a country. The purple dots, representing China, are at recover on their own. A few the root of the tree. The separate lineages (variants) and their molecular can sail through the infection. mutations are visualised cytokine storms, while many cough, sneeze and light fever is dominant in Indian patients? Are beThe studied.patient profileThe data and thecollected virus isvariant relevant afflicting for learning them wouldabout not known. ofthese the mutations vaccines significant?that are being Will modes of transmission, infection, developed?the mutations affect the efficacy morbidity, and vaccine design. othersAmong get the better patients, earlier. few In require some, a ventilator for a long time, while The study The genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 takescytokine the stormpatient (when to the the brink body of The premier CSIR institutions, starts to attack its own cells) Delhi-based Institute of Genomics By 31 December 2019, the smoothly. Is there a pattern? Chinese medical authorities found death, while others sail through a cluster of 27 pneumonia cases and Integrative Biology (CSRI- Why at some places, like Italy, based Centre for Cellular and IGIB) and the Hyderabad- does the infection seem rampant China. Their radiology report have teamed up to undertake a in Wuhan City of Hubei province, Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), regions such as Kerala or South and they had symptoms such as showed bilateral lung infiltrates, Korea,and unabating, it is under while control? in someSure, National Centre for Disease fever, dry cough, and shortness of vital study in association with the pandemic control measures breath. By 10 January 2020, the have an impact. Is it only that or novel coronavirus. Called the digitalControl and (NCDC) molecular to surveillancestudy the first novel coronavirus genome the eye? project, the programme aims to there is more than what meets simultaneously monitor at three sequence was uploaded to Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Flu and most respiratory viral levels — the virus, the patient available. Data (GISAID) and made publicly infections are highly infective and the clinical course of the among children. In contrast, patient. The genome of the novel SARS-CoV-2 seems to hardly coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2 as affect the children and the young. from across the country, and the Virus samples would be obtained it is formally known, is an RNA, All viruses mutate. Are there contrast, a human genome, made upwith of aboutDNA, 30,000is more base complex pairs. and In isolates would be sequenced. specific mutations which are Variants would be examined for March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 127 has about 3 billion base pairs. Although small in comparison

coronavirus is perhaps the with a human genome, novel

biggest of all known RNA viruses. It is twice the size of deadly Ebola and commonhepatitis influenza.C. It is three times as big as the RNA of HIV The genome could be thought of as a cookbook, containing recipes for making the vital proteins, instructions for making Major mutations and associated variations in globally circulating copies of the DNA and a manual SARS-CoV-2 genome for preparing a daughter cell. The book of recipes in English life is reproduction. The virus mutations that have been infects and abducts the cells recorded until today. Interestingly of the host to make copies of in another mutation, ORF8- is written using just twenty- itself, by duplicating its genetic S84L, the S and L mutate in the asix stop alphabets symbol and at thefew endsymbols of a opposite direction. In the clade sentence).(like space Various between combinations words, or the danger of committing a ‘G’, a variant called S-D614G, in sequence. Copying always has a gene called ‘S’ the aspartic acid errors. Unlike many viruses, of these twenty-six alphabets coronavirusesmistake. The duplicates have endgenomic with protein is changed to glycine (D) at position 614 of the gene’s combinedproduce thousands appropriately, of words andcan virtuallysentences. record These sentences,the preparation when labelled NS3-G251V, at the 251st proofreading mechanism, which (G). The variant of the clade ‘V’, process of any conceivable cuisine the process of duplicating the weeds out copying mistakes. Yet on earth. Incidentally, the book viral RNA is so sloppy that the proofreader is not able to catch position of NS3 gene glycine (G), all the typos and the duplicates Watchingis replaced withhorror valine movies (V). and of life, DNA (or in case of certain adolescent comic books, mutation calledviruses, as nucleotides)RNA) is just ‘ACGT’. written The called mutations. immediately evokes a picture of end up with errors. These are uniquewith four combination alphabets, (technicallyof the four a malevolent creature that is out For example, take the case of much talked about L-type and on most of the occasions, the chemicals adenine (A), cytosine S-type. Both types belong to the mutationsto destroy arethe not world. that However,dramatic (C), guanine (G), and thymine or consequential. They are just Laying(T), called out nucleotides,the order, isor whatthe of organisms that have evolved mundane. Such inconsequential same clade ‘S’ (A clade is a group patternuniquely ofidentifies the arrangementseach species. from a common ancestor). All the changes are called lineages or of these four nucleotides is members of this clade have typos variants rather than strains. in a gene called ORF8. The ORF8 From drug discovery to vaccine discovered has been found to Until now, none of the mutations development,what is the genomicthe sequence.genomic gene underwent a mutation of the sequence is of immense help. position of the gene’s protein to amino acid L (leucine) at the 84th have significant consequences. Recombination mutation is called as ORF8-L84S. Typos in duplication the amino acid S (serine), and the The rate of mutation in SARS- The name of the game called ORF8-L84S is but one of the CoV-2 is just one-third of the flu 128 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 nsp10 nsp7

nsp8 S protein fusion core nsp5 nsp15 N protein C domain

nsp5 nsp3 S protein Glu-rich nsp10 fusion core nsp1 nsp15 nsp7 N protein N domain

orf7a nsp3 ADRP nsp3 PLpro nsp9 S protein RBD orf9b

Summary of SARS-CoV-2 protein structures: The SARS-CoV-2 genome is shown surrounded by the available structures of SARS-CoV-2 proteins structure of the virus. Typos are B’s. Some set of prints may have sequence of SARS-CoV-2 is virus. This has to do with the document may be mixed up with ‘unsegmented’,In contrast to thatflu, is,the itsgenetic code A much more potent change of genetic segments is called not the only way a virus mutates. recombination.such mixtures. Such swapping The page tends to stay together. recombine. Take the case of the is written in one single sheet. occurs when two or more strains top half of the page from A may segments. One can imagine that only one strain. When multiple However, on a rare occasion, the flu virus. It has eight genomic strainsOften a ofcell theis notsame infected family with of half of the page from B. Such recombinationstear and fuse withhappen the butbottom are Duplicatingthe genetic codethe virusof the RNA flu is recombinations create more and exceedingly rare. The pages have akinwritten to intaking eight separatephotocopy. sheets. The virus pass through the cell, new to rip at similar spots. photocopy machine, in this case is not easy to catch. It changes more new strains. That is why flu the ribosome, a cellular organelle Drift and shift in the human cell, replicates the develop that it is estimated thatits avatar. roughly So a manyperson flu in strainshis or The typos type mutations may be and B, jousting to make copies ofgenome. their Imagine eight-page two personsreports. A infections. her lifetime gets about 200 flu ofan the“i” smudgingcopy is made, in a photocopysuch typo and appearing as “l”. When a copy In the brawling, page 1 of A’s March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 129 Relative positions of qRT-PCR primer-probe set on the SARS-CoV-2. If those locations mutate, then the primer-probe will malfunction. It is important to keep an eye on the molecular structure even for robust PCR testing

errors are carried on to the next as long as the changes are not generation of the virus. If such a typo results in malfunctioned virus.typically The aresultant new strain. mutation Not may all , such make,shifts say,may a beprocess beneficial malfunction. to the recombination,substantial; however, the whenvaccine a couldnew strain become is developed ineffective. through As out. Very rarely, a single change advantageous to the virus. Such inmutations the amino would acid sequencebe weeded may The modification may not be change the fate of the virus. A out in the natural process of the flu virus is segmented and typo change at a single location evolution.variations Somewould may be provide weeded the challengeoften recombine to develop to produce a vaccine new of the genome in the Ebola virus forstrains, it. it has been a significant resulted in a far deadlier strain. that strain tends to proliferate. new strain with advantage. Then Molecular changes are harmless. They have Shifts and drifts in the genetic noHowever, consequence. in most The cases variants such code of virus have an impact surveillance gradually change as more and more typos cumulatively as vaccine developments. As the dynamics of the virus genome, accumulate. This process is longon our as immunethe changes system are as welljust Once we get a better handle on inconsequential typos, our body the accumulated ‘drifts’ might we would be able to identify called ‘drift’. Once in a while, being related to the old familiar piecewhich of part information of the viral is crucialgenome for is variant.can recognise Our immune the new system,variant asat vaccinemutating and faster drug or development. slower. Such a be powerful enough to cause least partly, is prepared, and the significant change; we now say a Dr. Rakesh Mishra, Director, new strain has evolved. Centre for Cellular and Molecular thoroughinfection is shift,milder. that However, is, byif orHowever, rips its whenunsegmented a strain code of virus and the new strain has developed swaps an entire page with another, code from a less familiar strain, theBiology genomic (CSIR-CCMB) sequence fromsays, effect is dramatic. Such striking swapping parts of the genetic hundreds“Once we ofhave isolates a database from India, of changesrecombines are calledwith ‘shift’.another, Almost the developed for one strain may then we suffer badly. A vaccine we would be able to understand all new variants from ‘shift’ are still be effective for a new strain the network through which the 130 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 sequence. If there is a genomic change in that particular region, then the test might

the person may be infectedshow negative, by a different while strain. “Understanding the dynamics of the genomic sequence is crucial for

By looking at the mutations and creating a polygenetic tree, one can also trace the developing tests,” says transmission route of the virus WhileDr Aggarwal. molecular virus has spread in India, estimate surveillance is one part, the the mutation rate, identify the of variants in India, compare it clinical course of the patient is part of the genome that is less Once we construct the phylogeny another aspect of this project. susceptible to mutation so that with the ones in the rest of the The Institute of Genomics and vaccine development. Further, enterworld, India. it would By mapping be possible the viral to we can target that part for find the route the virus took to IGIB) takes the leadership of variants across the country, one Integrative Biology (CSIR- we would also be able to find if any difference in its virulence or genomic epidemiology. this component. Dr Aggarwal the variants found in India show would be able to understand the National Centre for Disease says, “We are working with the disease-causing capacity.” Disease surveillance India representation of samples. One of the major mysteries of a Control (NCDC) for the pan- As anticipated, the genome is We are setting up an end-to- slip through and reach even the remotestviral pandemic corners is how of the come country. it can mutating while transmitted end network in which we club “Tracking mutations helps us in India. Newer variants have all data.” The data on people infected with SARS-CoV-2 but are variantsemerged. is However,less or more there virulent. is no around different geographic asymptomatic or showing mild visualise how the virus travelled evidence as of now if any of the the information on the clinical locations, from country to impact will be collected. Likewise, symptoms“Though we rate are in seeing India, relatively there is course of people who needed country and within a nation nolower explanation level of at themortality moment and for Dr. Mishra. Full-genome hospitalisation would also be from one place to another,” says this observation. Only a rigorous able to monitor the population collated. “The surveillance will be publishedsequences ofas the early first twoas MarchSARS- study would illuminate”, says in which the spread is virulent 2020CoV-2 byviruses scientists from fromIndia ICMR-were CSIR-IGIB. Dr Anurag Aggarwal Director of and the population in which the National Institute of Virology, spread is controlled,” says Dr Keeping an eye on the mutations Aggarwal.Dr. T.V. Venkateswaran SARS-CoV-2 sequences obtained of the virus is important even Pune. They showed that two Senior Scientist Vigyan Prasar Dept. of Science & Technology different introductions into the Typically, the RT-PCR or any for testing, says Dr Aggarwal. 5th floor, Prithvi Bhavan from India represent two testing that tries to identify the Lodhi Road multiple introductions of the virus and looks for pattern at a New Delhi-110003 country. “Genetic data shows particular location of the genomic E-mail: [email protected] virus in India,” says Dr. Mishra. March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 131 IPR Corner

Global Patent Landscape of COVID-19 Technologies MAYUREE SENGUPTA AND Dr. H. PURUSHOTHAM

In late November-December 2019, patients suffering from viral pneumonia on account

China.of an Aunidentified novel coronavirus microbial agent were reported in Wuhan, as the causative pathogen. The Coronaviridaewas subsequently Study identifiedGroup

Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses(CSG) ofhas therecognised International the virus of this acute respiratory Patents of COVID-19 related technologies disease called coronavirus Figure-1: the block. Therefore, both patent and plant-based pharmaceutical as forming a sister clade to the applications and granted patents composition. For the purpose of prototypedisease-19 human (COVID-19) and bat severevirus this study, patent refers to both acute respiratory syndrome patent applications and granted andon SARS-CoV treating COVID-19 may offer disease.beneficial It patents. The core inventive insights towards understanding designated it as SARS-CoV-2. The concepts of COVID-19 patents are COVID-19coronaviruses disease (SARS-CoVs) has spread and to the patent landscape of COVID-19 further enumerated in Table-1. is with this goal that we explore 213 countries and the death toll and SARS-CoV. stands at a perilous 347,907. Patents about SARS- Research reveals that amongst COVID-19 patents CoV pharmaceutical The patent portfolio of COVID-19 transmissible/contagious than compositions related technologies could be SARS-CoV.the two, SARS-CoV-2While researching is more Select pharmaceuticals, broadly categorised into the methods to contain the virus compounds and chemicals or developing a cure is still in namely, biomedical devices and have been claimed to be effective diagnosticfollowing as methods,depicted in therapiesFigure-1, to delve into the patent landscape againstidentified SARS-CoV from patents are listed which in and vaccines, protective devices, toprogress, locate pertinent a feasible innovations way would onbe Table -2.

132 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Table-1: Patent categories of COVID-19 related technologies

Category Title Core concept Claim Technology Country domain of origin Biomedical Colloidal gold De vice for joint Detection of Analysis of China device and immunochromatography detection of a novel COVID-19 antigen biological diagnostic device for combined coronavirus COVID-19 and antibody. materials methods detection of COVID-19 antigen and antibody antigen and antibody and vide use of novel use method thereof. coronavirus NP protein monoclonal antibody amongst others. Application of host Diagnostic Biotechnology China marker for COVID-19 COVID-19 and capability of the infection. comprisesHost marker at withleast one COVID-19. of RNR1, MFSD11, SYNE3 and SLC10A3 genes. The invention analyses the difference of gene expression

COVID-19 positive pneumoniaof the patients and with

COVID-19 negative pneumonia.the patients with COVID-19 novel COVID-19 novel Virus detection Biotechnology China coronavirus nucleic acid coronavirus nucleic of patient as per detection method capable acid detection method of improving accuracy. capable of improving signal intensity accuracy. videfluorescence recombinant technique. Fluorescence Screening of Analysis of China immunochromatography detection time. asymptomatic biological device for detecting Assay device with brief infections. materials COVID-19 and using method thereof. Therapies COVID-19 knockout DNA Liposome based Gene therapy Pharmaceuticals Korea and Covid-19 suitable triple targeting. for treating vaccines knockout DNAi remedy. COVID-19. Proposed Therapy to Combination of Nicotinamide IT methods for Australia Reduce Effects of Viral lifestyle changes, Mononucleotide management vitamin supplements pharmaceuticals COVID 19). and prescription supplement, Infections (may help with medicines. Resveratrol(NMN)

combination may& Metformin prove to

tobe combatsignificantly COVID-19.beneficial

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 133 Category Title Core concept Claim Technology Country domain of origin Adenovirus vector Recombinant vaccine Vaccine for Pharmaceuticals China vaccine for preventing for preventing SARS- preventing SARS- SARS-CoV-2 infection. CoV-2 infection CoV-2 infection. comprising at least one drug having a therapeutic effect on COVID-19 and also preparing a COVID-19 detection reagent in another embodiment. Protective Device for blocking A device for blocking Air sterilisation Medical China device transmission of diseases the transmission and disinfection technology. Other of droplets such as device for consumer goods through droplet blocking or such as new coronavirus coronavirus diseases, reducing cross the infection of new infection of chemical sterilisation infectious unit,which a comprisesphysical a diseases such as

head cover and other COVID-19 auxiliarysteriliser, units.an air filter, a diseases.new coronavirus Multifunctional A multifunctional Multifunctional Basic materials China medicine core, mask and medicine core, a mask comprising chemistry. Other application. mask and application, multifunctional consumer goods. medicated Pharmaceuticals multifunctional medicinewherein the core comprises colorcore with band an that bacteriostatic drugs, developsearly warning color aromatic drugs and bacteriostatic pathogenic bacteriawhen it adsorbsor bacteriostatic drugs viruses including comprisedrugs, wherein cortex the coronavirus, moutan, red paeony SARS virus or root and indigo COVID-19 virus. naturalis; the aromatic medicine comprising lignum Aquilariae Resinatum, lignum Santali albi, herba Agastaches, parched rhizoma Atractylodis, radix Angelicae Dahuricae and folium Perillae; the medicine for inhibiting drug comprises Coptidis rhizoma and cortex Phellodendri.

134 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Category Title Core concept Claim Technology Country domain of origin Plant-based Sarva jura kudineer A composition Claims to be Pharmaceuticals India composition comprising potent and having ingredients, roots antipyretic effect of Kandangkattari, against zoonotic/ Shindil Kilanku, communicable Chukku,Chirukanchori diseases that Veer, Chiruthekku, results in Muthakaasu, Thippili infections such Veer, Nilavembu Veer, as Corona virus Parpadaakam and Kottam. (COVID-19), H1N1, ZIKA virus, Composition of anti- A bocicloram benzyl Composition Pharmaceuticals China HIV virus, etc. coronavirus macleaya isoquinoline alkaloid is used for cordata benzyl and resveratrol preparing a isoquinoline alkaloid composition claiming medicament for and resveratrol and unique binding activity treating Covid-19 application thereof. on a coronavirus- coronavirus related protein target infection. spot.

Table-2: Pharmaceutical substances claimed to be potent against SARS-CoV

Patent No. Active Agent Mechanism/Action CN1699354, 2,3,5-trisubstituted-4-thiazolidone compounds SARS-CoV virus 3CL protease inhibitor CN1699355 KR101097189 Dihydroxychromone derivatives Virus serine protease and virus polymerase inhibitor. EP1940385 Ruthenium oxalate compounds Potent inhibitory activity and cytoprotective activity to infected cell. DE10361945 Proteasome-Inhibitor and/or a Ubiquitin-

derivativesPeptide derivatives, Aclacinomycin of which and C-terminal lactacystin; epoxy ketone structures contain - A - β-lactone Proteasome-Pathways (UPS) Inhibitor boric acid derivative MG232, llnl, etc. modified peptide aldehydes such as MG132, its EP1703901 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol Exhibits viricidal activity against SARS- associated coronavirus, particularly the phenotype Urbani SARS-associated coronavirus. WO2007075145A1 Benzopyranone derivatives Inhibiting the transcription or replication of

KR20200029639 Cyclosporin analog molecules 3CLAntimicrobial proteinase agent (3CLMpro) of SARS virus. JP2020502258 Glucosamine based composition Immunomodulatory agents, liposomes containing immunopotentiating compositions US20190055256 Effective against single strand RNA virus infections. 7-thio-substituted-3-nitro-1,2,4-triazolo [5,1-c]- WO2019135003 1,2,4-triazin-4(1H)-one compounds. Viricidal activity trypsin obtained from marine serine protease. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) sourced trypsin i.e.

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 135 Conclusion Genomic characterisation and modelling, 5, 248-255. epidemiology of 2019 novel There is a prominent difference 5. Liu, C., Zhou, Q., Li, Y., Garner, L. V., Watkins, S. P., Carter, for virus origins and of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 receptorcoronavirus: binding. implicationsThe Lancet, i.e.,between COVID-19. the patent While landscape SARS- Research and development onL. J.,therapeutic ... & Albaiu, agents D. (2020). and under diagnostic methods, 2. 395(10224),of the International, 565-574. C. S. G. vaccines for COVID-19 and vaccinesCoV patents and could pharmaceutical be classified related human coronavirus compositions categories, acute respiratory syndrome- diseases. (2020). The species Severe COVID-19 patent landscape 6. Sengupta M, Purushotham additionally has categories classifying 2019-nCoV and namingrelated it SARS-CoV-2.coronavirus: Nature pertaining to biomedical rapid Respiratory Syndrome-Related detection devices and protective Microbiology, 1. H. (2020) Severe Acute gear or equipment to prevent 20051503.Coronavirus: A Patent Based contagious ailment. The patent 3. ‘Countries where COVID-19 View. Adv. Mater. Lett. 11(5), widespread transmission of the landscape is thus an indicator has spread’ viewed 26th • Mayuree Sengupta of the fact that humans must May, 2020, < https:// Manager, (IP & TT) coronavirus-has-spread/>www.worldometers.info/ NRDC, New Delhi-110048 distanced lifestyle until a cure of coronavirus/countries-where- E-mail: [email protected] COVID-19make peace arrives. with a new socially 4. Tang, B., Bragazzi, N. L., Li, • Dr. H. Purushotham Chairman and Managing Director NRDC, 20-22, Zamroodpur References: Q., Tang, S., Xiao, Y., & Wu, J. Community Centre of the risk of transmission of Kailash Colony Extn. (2020). An updated estimation 1. Lu, R., Zhao, X., Li, J., Niu, P., Yang, New Delhi-110048 nCov). Infectious disease E-mail: [email protected] the novel coronavirus (2019- B., Wu, H., ... & Bi, Y. (2020). ARTICLES INVITED Articles are invited for publication in Invention Intelligence innovators, researchers, technologists, entrepreneurs, and others. from science writers, scientists, inventors, Invention Intelligence

publishes articles on current topics in science, new technologies, inventions and innovations,and development, research inventions, & development innovations, in various etc. fields, and Intellectual Property Rights issues. • The subject matter of the article must be based on some current science topics, new technologies, research

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DG, CSIR launches Compendium of Indian Technologies for Combating COVID-19

A “Compendium of Indian Technologies for Combating COVID-19

National Research(Tracing, Development Testing and Treating)” prepared by by Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Director General,Corporation CSIR (NRDC) and Secretary, was launched DSIR, compendiumGovt. of India atcarries CSIR Headquarters, information aboutNew Delhi200 on 5COVID-19-related May 2020. The Indian technologies, ongoing research activities, technologies available for commercialisation, initiatives and efforts taken by the Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, DG, CSIR & Secretary, DSIR launching the Compendium Government of India, categorised of Indian Technologies for Combating COVID-19, compiled by NRDC at CSIR-Hqs, New Delhi. Present with him is Dr. H. Purushotham, CMD, NRDC under 3Ts of Tracking, Testing and Treating. Most of these stakeholders and this compendium and Development Organisation technologies are proof-of-concept for policymakers, industries, entrepreneurs to take the product entrepreneurs,will serve as astartups, ready-reference MSMEs, Engineering(DRDO), Indian Research Institute(s) Board of to(POC) market tested faster and as they can do help not havethe research scholars, scientists Technology (IITs), Science and appreciated the initiative of NRDC that several of the technologies (SERB), Technology Development forto reinventbringing outthe thewheel. Compendium Dr. Mande of compiledand others. are approvedHe also byinformed ICMR. AllBoard India (TDB), Council National for InnovationTechnical Indian Technologies for Combating Foundation (NIF), Startup India, The information presented in COVID-19 as it is very timely and Tirunal Institute for Medical the compendium is sourced from SciencesEducation (AICTE),and SreeTechnology Chitra various government bodies and and the public at large. would benefit the MSMEs, Startups premier academic institutions including Department of Science information,(SCTIMST), andincluding Indian transfer Institute of informed that team-NRDC has technology,of Science one(IISc). may reachFor NRDC,more Dr. H. Purushotham, CMD, NRDC, made an attempt to compile an enterprise of Department of most relevant and indigenously Counciland Technology for Medical (DST), Department Research developed emerging technological of Biotechnology (DBT), Indian Technology,Scientific and Govt.ofIndustrial IndiaResearch at (ICMR), Ministry of Electronics and (DSIR), Ministry of Science & innovations, including those which Information Technology (MeitY), Council of Scientific and Industrial are at research stage, to fight [email protected].— Dr. P. BHAVYA MANJEERA COVID-19 for the benefit of all Research (CSIR), Defence Research March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 137 NRDC Licenses NavRakshak PPE Suit Manufacturing Know-how to Five MSMEs Developed by Indian Navy

National Research Development does not require any lamination

This enables the PPE to permeate ofCorporation a PPE Suit (NRDC) being has named licensed as heatwith andpolymer moisture or plastic-like from the film.skin the manufacturing know-how of the user. It gives protection but does not compromise on comfort. NavRakshak to five MSME clients: This uniqueness of the PPE makes M/s Greenfield Vintrade Pvt Ltd (Kolkata), M/s Vaishnavi Global Pvt Ltd (Mumbai), M/s Bharat theit way ongoing different COVID from pandemic. the existing Silks (Bangalore), M/s Sure Safety PPEs which are being used during (India) Ltd (Vadodara) and M/s The PPE suit is available in single- Swaps Couture (Mumbai) to meet manufacturersthe ongoing countrywide put together demand are as per the need of the end-use planningof quality to PPEmass kits. produce These morefive ply as well as double-ply versions than 10 million PPEs per year. headgear; face mask and shoe coverconditions. up to theIt also mid-thigh comes level. with a

of NavRakshak PPE has been the IP and its commercialisation. developedThe manufacturing at the Innovation know-how Cell ramping up the production of PPE Since the concept of using of the Institute of Naval Medicine, suitsWith tothe end itscountry import dependence,significantly uncoated, unlaminated or untaped

nameINHS Asvini‘NavRakshak’ Hospital is (Mumbai)derived. The of there has been several news PPE has been provided for the first the Indian Navy from where the kits.reports While mentioning there has the been flooding a clarion of totime, protect and using the suchIP rights PPE wasof thisnot callmarket to withstrictly dubious-quality implement PPEthe innovation.practised at Aall, patent there wasapplication a need ofPPE the has nine been NABL tested accredited and certified labs authorisedat the INMAS, by DRDOMinistry which of Textileis one for manufacturers, a quality PPE by the inventors through currently in India for PPE prototype producttesting and is also certification the need of standards the hour. NRDC.has been This filed technology for the NavRakshak can resolve sample testing as per the prevailing NavRakshak has been designed many issues at one go. It makes ISO standards and Ministry of by a Naval doctor incorporating personal experience in using the requiring big capital investment. of Textile guidelines and has been PPE for the comfort and protection Itmanufacturing does not requireeasy withoutcoating foundHealth to& meetFamily the Welfare/Ministry synthetic blood of the doctors. The enhanced and taping related equipment. penetration resistance criteria for breathability factor in the PPE suit Therefore, foreign import and both the fabric, suit, and seam. It is makes it an attractive proposition costly machines are not required. It cost effective as it does not require to be used by the frontline health any major capital investment and to the user. Above all, it gives self- these suits for long hours and face sustainabilitygives protection to as the well country. as comfort In manufacturing units using basic workers who are required to wear future, it may so appen that this stitchingcan be adoptedexpertise. evenThe technologyby gown simple yet highly effective PPE and quality of fabric is so superior Intellectualextreme discomfort Property while Facilitation working. suit may become the benchmark that there is no need of sealing Cell of Directorate General of Quality standard of PPEs. around the seam of the PPE suit, thus eliminating the need of Defence Production, Ministry of — Dr. SANJEEVA MAJUMDAR & importing costly sealing machines Assurance (DGQA), Department Of SHASHANK SONAL, NRDC and tapes. The PPE fabric even and NRDC partnered in protecting Defence along with Indian Navy

138 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Innovative Technologies Available for Commercialization

NRDC is engaged in the development, promotion and transfer of technologies emanating from various national R&D institutions/ universities. The Corporation offers its IPRs and Technology Transfer services in wide ranging areas like: Agriculture, Chemical, Agro & Food processing, Life Sciences, Mechanical, Electrical & Electronics, Energy and Telecom. It acts as an effective catalyst in translating innovative research into marketable industrial products. NRDC has the largest repository of Indian technologies and signed about 5000 licence agreement with entrepreneurs/start-ups/corporate in India and abroad. Some Innovative technologies are available with NRDC for Ccommercialization having great potential in India and Abroad: z Extraction of Azadirachtin from Neem Seeds Kernel and its z Micronutrient compositions for ginger (for soils with Pesticide formulation pH above 7 & pH below7) z Super absorbent Hydrogel z Micronutrient compositions for turmeric (for soils with z Preserved Sugarcane Juice in glass bottles pH above 7 & pH below7) z Potassium Humate z Micronutrient composition for Black Pepper z Ready to eat Honey Pan Beeda z Micronutrient composition for Cardamom z Process for the production of Honey Powder with Natural z Non-invasive Breath Analyzer for Diabetes Monitoring Profiles z Ayush-82, Ayush-64, Ayush-56, Ayush SG z Process for preparation of Wheat based Chocolate Bar z Bala Rasayana z Low Cost Jute Based Sanitary Napkin z Anti-Arthritis and Anti Fungal Ointments z Karnataka Rice Hybrid (KRH-4) z Herbal Mouthwash z Silver Nano Particle as Antidandruff Aagents z Herbal Hand Sanitizer z Live-attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium Vaccine z Herbal after- shave lotion z Trichoderma harzianum, a biocontrol agent against z TOCO (Toilet Care Unit) Phytophthora foot rot z Pochonia chlamydosporia, a biocontrol against z Zinc solublizing PGPR for soil drenching nematodes z Porous and Ultra-Light MgO and ZnO Nano-Crystalline z Pochonia Chlamydosporia liquid formulation Powders z Mosquito larvicidal Formulation based on Bacillus z Noval method of storing and delivering PGPR/microbes Thuringiensis var. Israelensis through biocapsule z PGPR talc formulation for Ginger z Seed coating composition and a process for its preparation z Manufacture of Nata-de-Coco from Coconut Water

NATIONAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION [An Enterprise of DSIR, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India] 20-22, Zamroodpur Community Centre, Kailash Colony Extension, New Delhi-110048 Tel: 011-29240401-07, Website: www.nrdcindia.com For more information, please contact: [email protected], [email protected]

March-June 2020 | INVENTION INTELLIGENCE 139 Total pages: 140 R.N.I. No. 10636/65

Published and Printed by Radha Kant Anthwal on behalf of the National Research Development Corporation [An enterprise of DSIR, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India], 20-22, Zamroodpur Community Centre, Kailash Colony Extension, New Delhi-110 048 & Printed at Rakmo Press Pvt. Ltd., C-59, Okhla Industrial Area Phase-I, New Delhi-110 020 140 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE | March-June 2020 Editor: Radha Kant Anthwal