The Union ministry of health and family welfare announced on Thursday that the Centre has finalised arrangements with Hyderabad-based vaccine manufacturer Biological-E to reserve 300 million Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine doses.
“These vaccine doses will be manufactured and stockpiled by M/s Biological-E from August-December 2021. For this purpose, the Union Ministry of Health would be making an advance payment of ₹1,500 crore to M/s Biological-E,” a statement by the ministry said.
The RBD protein sub-unit vaccine is expected to be available in the coming months after completing Phase III clinical trials.
“The arrangement with M/s Biological-E is part of the wider endeavour of Government of India to encourage indigenous vaccine manufacturers by providing them support in Research & Development (R&D) and also financial support,” the statement read.
Since the pre-clinical stage, the Indian government has backed the vaccine candidate. The Department of Biotechnology has partnered with Biological-E to conduct all animal challenge and assay studies through its Research Institute Translational Health Science Technology Institute in Faridabad, in addition to providing financial assistance in the form of grant-in-aid of over 100 crore (Haryana).
The aid is part of the Indian government’s “Mission COVID Suraksha- the Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission,” which aims to develop a safe, efficacious, affordable, and accessible Covid-19 vaccine, according to the ministry.
The mission is currently funding the development of five Covid-19 vaccine candidates, with some of them nearing approval and implementation in public health systems.
