Prof Govindan Rangarajan, the director of Indian Institute of Science (IISc), apprised Karnataka’s Health and Medical Minister Dr K Sudhakar about various researches that are being carried out by Scientists at IISc including designing a more efficient oxygen concentrator and also vaccine for Covid-19 which can be stored at room temperature upto 30°.

IISc has developed an oxygen concentrator of ten LPM capacity which is being tested for it's clinical validation at Bangalore Medical College. Prof Rangarajan said that the results have been promising and claimed that the oxygen output is about 90 per cent and hence more efficient compared to the Chinese concentrators whose output is about 40-50 per cent.

Prof Rangarajan sought support of Minister Dr Sudhakar to expedite the process of clinical validation and also help in obtaining regulatory approval from Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for its emergency use.

Dr Sudhakar assured all necessary support from the government and said he will take up the matter immediately with RGUHS Vice Chancellor and concerned Union Ministers.

As part of the interaction, Prof Rangarajan apprised the minister about the ongoing efforts at IISc to develop a vaccine for Covid-19. The vaccine being developed by IISc is promising as the results show a better neutralising effect than the existing vaccines.

This vaccine, which is yet to begin human trials, could be a big breakthrough in India's battle against pandemic as the vaccine can be stored in room temperatures up to 30℃. From a public health point of view this is a huge advantage as it enables the government to scale up distribution of vaccines in a much faster and easier way.

Also, Health Minister Dr Sudhakar sought IISc's help in developing an audit mechanism and finding ways for optimal utilisation of oxygen and minimise wastage at both refilling/bottling units and at hospitals. Prof Rangarajan assured the Minister to extend all technical and engineering support to address this issue.