India's COVID-19 Vaccine Seeks Distribution in 40 Countries

Reuters reported Bharat Biotech announced on February 18, 2021, the India-based company is in the process of filing regulatory documents for approval of its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, in more than 40 countries.

Covaxin (BBV152) is an experimental vaccine created by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Covaxin is a whole virion-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, developed from a well-known SARS-CoV-2 strain and a Vero cell platform (CCL-81) with adjuncts aluminum hydroxide gel (Algel) or a novel TLR7/8 agonist adsorbed gel.

Previously, Pennsylvani-based Ocugen, Inc. and Bharat Biotech announced on February 2, 2021, they have entered into a definitive agreement to codevelop, supply, and commercialize Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN for the United States market.

In preparation for the development of Covaxin in the USA, Ocugen’s Vaccine Scientific Advisory Board and Ocugen management have initiated discussions with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to develop a regulatory path to authorization in the USA.

Additionally, Ocugen is in active discussions with manufacturers to produce a significant number of doses of Covaxin to support its USA immunization program.