The Centre has finalised arrangements with Hyderabad-based vaccine manufacturer, Biological-E, to reserve 300 million Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine doses, the Union ministry of health and family welfare announced on Thursday.
“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 subunit vaccine, which is currently undergoing Phase III clinical trials, is likely to be available in the next few months.
“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.
The vaccine candidate has been supported by the Government of India since the pre-clinical stage. The department of biotechnology not only provided financial assistance in terms of grant-in-aid of over ₹100 crore but has also partnered with Biological-E to conduct all animal challenge and assay studies through its Research Institute Translational Health Science Technology Institute, Faridabad (Haryana).