Ayurvedic practitioners and researchers in India and the USA are intending to commence joint clinical trials for Ayurveda formulations contrary to the novel coronavirus, the Indian envoy has said.

<span style="color: #ff6600;"><a style="color: #ff6600;" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/covid-19-india-us-to-initiate-clinical-trials-for-ayurvedic-formulations/article32027859.ece">In a virtual interaction with a bunch of distinguished Indian-American scientists, academicians, and doctors on July 8, Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said the vast network of institutional engagements have brought scientific communities between both nations together in the fight against COVID-19.</a></span>

"Our Institutions also have been collaborating to promote Ayurveda through joint research, training and teaching programs.

"Our scientists have already been exchanging knowledge and research tools on this front," he explained.

To tackle COVID-19-related challenges, the IUSSTF had given a call to encourage joint research and start-up engagements. Many proposals have been reviewed on fast track manner by the experts on both the sides,'' he said.

"Indian pharmaceutical companies are international leaders in producing affordable low-cost drugs and drugs and will play an important role in the fight against this pandemic," Sandhu said.

According to the ambassador, you will find three or more ongoing collaborations involving Indian vaccine firms with US-based associations.

These collaborations are beneficial not just to India and the US, but also for the billions who would need to get vaccinated against COVID-19 across the world, '' he noted.

Asserting that innovation is going to be the primary driver in pandemic response and recovery, he said tech-companies and start-ups have already begun to take the lead in this direction.

"Telemedicine and telehealth will evolve as will other digital platforms across industries," he said.

Noting that there has been longstanding collaboration between India and US in health industry, he said scientists have been working together in several applications to comprehend important diseases in basic and clinical level.

Many such programs have been concentrated on translational research to develop new therapeutics and diagnostics.

You will find more than 200 ongoing NIH funded projects in India involving 20 associations from NIH network and several distinguished associations in India engaged in a wide spectrum of study areas to create health care solutions, the senior diplomat said.

The collaboration under Vaccine Action Program (VAP) led to evolution of ROTAVAC vaccine from rota virus which causes severe diarrhea in children.

The vaccine was developed by an Indian company (Bharat Biotech) in an inexpensive price. It has been commercialised and introduced in the Expanded Program on Immunisation.

Development of many other vaccines such as TB, Influenza, Chikungunya will also be in progress under the VAP, he explained.

"As I talk, the VAP assembly is in progress by which experts from both nations are engaged in technical discussions to expedite development of COVID-19 vaccine," Sandhu said in his remarks.

During the interaction, the distinguished experts appreciated India's managing of the COVID-19 pandemic and offered their invaluable suggestions and best practices in this respect.

They shared their thoughts on deepening the knowledge partnership between India and the US.

Prominent among those who attended the virtual interaction were Subhash Kak Regents Professor at Oklahoma State University, Dr Vijay Kuchroo, Samuel L Wasserstrom Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, Dr Ashish M Kamat, Professor of Urology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Ashutosh Chilkoti, Alan L Kaganov Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University; and Prof Manu Prakash, professor at Department of Bioengineering in Sandford University, among others.