Covid19: Bharat Biotech ready to share formula of COVAXIN with other Companies

By Sanjay Maurya

• The central government has said that leading drug maker Bharat Biotech is willing to share the formula of its anti-COVID vaccine COVAXIN with other manufacturers.
• VK Paul NITI Aayog member informed on 13^th May that ‘Bharat Biotechhas welcomed other companies to make vaccine’.
• Delhi government will launch a global tender. Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Odisha are among the states that have already agreed to issue a global tender.

Bharat Biotech ready to share formula of COVAXIN with other Companies

The Delhi government recently stated that due to a lack of vaccines, it would have to close a significant number of Covid-19 jab centers and advised the Centre to use its special powers to enable more companies to produce vaccines. Not only the Delhi CM but also various journalists have stated the same thing.

The central government has said that leading drug maker Bharat Biotech is willing to share the formula of its anti-COVID vaccine COVAXIN with other manufacturers, in the midst of a political battle between the Centre and the Delhi government over the supply of enough vaccines to inoculate all adults in the national capital. Dr. VK Paul NITI Aayog member informed on 13^th May that ‘Bharat Biotech has welcomed other companies to make vaccine’.

Reports said Dr. VK Paul said, ” When we discussed it with the COVAXIN manufacturing company (Bharat Biotech), they were very enthusiastic. Live virus is inactivated in this vaccine, which is only performed in BSL3 laboratories.”

“But not every organization has BSL3 laboratories. We extend an open invitation to any company interested in participating. Companies interested in producing COVAXIN should collaborate. The government will help raise capability “he said.

The Centre, on the other hand, highlighted the lack of a sophisticated laboratory for most vaccine manufacturers, which is needed to produce the indigenously produced COVAXIN vaccine.

Last month, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), as part of Mission COVID Suraksha, outlined a proposal to double COVAXIN production by May-June by taking the help of three public-sector firms (PSUs). The PSUs are Indian Immunological Limited (IIL), Hyderabad, Haffkine Biopharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, Mumbai, and Bharat Immunological and Biologicals Limited, Bulandshahr.

As the city government struggles with a shortage of coronavirus vaccines, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on 11^th May that the city government will launch a global tender. Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Odisha are among the states that have already agreed to issue a global tender.

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