Hyd-based Biological E to produce 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines
Biological E is the largest manufacturer of tetanus vaccines and snake venom antidote in India.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 14 March 2021 11:57 AM GMT
Hyderabad: The city-based firm, Biological E, will produce one billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be rolled out by the end of 2022 under the new vaccine partnership unveiled at the first Quad Summit between India, the USA, Japan, and Australia.
The US will assist Biological E to produce vaccine doses in the country.
The four countries agreed to pool their financial resources, logistical strengths and manufacturing capacities and ramp up the manufacture and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines across the region as part of the efforts to boost post-pandemic recovery.
"The United States, through the DFC (Development Finance Corporation), will work with Biological E Ltd. to finance increased capacity to support Biological E's effort to produce at least one billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2022 with Stringent Regulatory Authorization (SRA) and/or World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL), including the Johnson and Johnson vaccine," the statement said.
Biological E is the largest manufacturer of tetanus vaccines and snake venom antidote in India. It has tied up with vaccine maker Johnson and Johnson and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Biological E's own COVID-19 vaccine is under clinical trials and interim data is expected this quarter.
Australia will contribute $77 million for the provision of vaccines and last-mile delivery support while Japan would assist vaccination programs of developing countries such as the purchase of vaccines and cold-chain support, including through the provision of grant aid of $41 million and new concessional yen loans.
Already Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin has been approved for emergency use in the country and has been administered amongst health care workers, frontline workers, and elderly citizens.
Apart from Bharat Biotech, the Serum Institute of India is producing the COVID-19 vaccine in the country.
