HYDERABAD: Bharat Biotech, which is developing India’s first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, expects the critical Phase III trials to be completed after April 2021. Only after that will the company go for commercial licensing and WHO pre-qualification, a top official of the company said.
However, Covaxin could be available for emergency use earlier if the government decides not to wait for the completion of Phase III studies and invokes an emergency use authorisation (EUA), Sai Prasad, executive director, Bharat Biotech International Ltd, told TOI.
“We expect Phase III studies to begin in November and the first set of efficacy readouts will be available only by April or May of 2021. We have been providing all information on all aspects of our projects to the government… there have been discussions within the government on when to potentially introduce the vaccine, so whether they (government) will wait for our Phase III data or introduce it before is their prerogative,” he explained.
Prasad said they can churn out 150 million doses per year from their existing facilities.
