Corona vaccine production started in Pune, target to produce 1 billion doses

Pune, June 7, 2020: Coronavirus vaccine production has begun in Pune amid the war with the COVID19. The British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has joined hands with India for a vaccine prepared by Oxford University. AstraZeneca has started manufacturing the vaccine in association with the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII). Together, they will deliver 1 billion corona vaccines to low-income countries, including India. Of this, 400 million vaccines are targeted to be delivered by the end of 2020.

Oxford University is at the forefront of the vaccine race. The vaccine trial has reached the second phase. Recently Oxford University announced the second and third phase trials of AZD1222, which would cover 10,000 adults. The rest of its trials are about to begin in many countries. Brazil has approved the clinical trial of the Corona vaccine of Oxford.

The British drugmaker has reached a $ 750 million agreement with CEPI and Gavi, for the manufacture and distribution of the new vaccine. Through this, 300 million doses of the potential vaccine will be procured and distributed. Delivery of the vaccine may begin by the end of this year. SII CEO Adar Poonawala said, “We are happy to partner with AstraZeneca to deliver this vaccine to India and other small income countries. In the last 50 years, SII has built significant capacity in vaccine manufacturing and supply globally.”

Pune-based SII is currently working on vaccine candidates developed by UK-based Oxford, US-based CodeGenics and Australian biotech firm Themis. Poonawala has shown the highest expectations from the Oxford University vaccine as it is being said to be at the forefront of the trial. Apart from this, SII is also developing its vaccine.