New Delhi, July 17 -- The health ministry may task the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) with developing advanced technologies and diagnostics for infectious diseases, both viral and bacterial.

This move aims to augment India's preparedness against future pandemics and prevent infectious threats. It involves providing crucial technical and financial support to prioritize pharmaceutical candidates, and a range of drugs, vaccines, and biologicals.

As part of the playbook, there will be focus on supporting the clinical co-development of pharmaceutical candidates, vaccines, immunoglobulins, and monoclonals that directly address national health priorities concerning both pandemics and other infectious diseases.

This approach aims to...