NEW DELHI: In a major development that will boost the world’s fight against the COVID-19 virus, Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech on Thursday announced that its popular COVID vaccine Covaxin will now be commercially available in Mexico.
The global leader in vaccine innovation, Bharat Biotech today announced that they have revised the agreement with US biotech firm Ocugen for the co-development, supply, and commercialisation of Covaxin and expanded its commercial rights to include Mexico. At present, Ocugen has Covaxin rights for the United States and Canada.
“After meeting with Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, in Delhi, we are encouraged by the role Covaxin can play in Mexico’s continuing efforts to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re excited to commercialise Covaxin in Mexico, as authorities there have made conquering this pandemic a major priority,” said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Ocugen Inc.
“Covaxin is currently under review by COFEPRIS (Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios) for emergency use among children between 2 and 18 years of age, and Ocugen is prepared to collaborate with the public health community to help their efforts,” Dr Musunuri said.
Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech chairman and managing director Dr. Krishna Ella said that Bharat Biotech was fully supportive of team Ocugen to expedite technology transfer activities towards commercial-scale manufacturing of Covaxin in North America.
“We are delighted to announce our partnership with Ocugen for Mexico, along with the United States and Canada. Covaxin is a safe and efficacious inactivated vaccine for all age groups as evident from its data from the global introduction,” Dr. Ella said.
“We are fully supportive of team Ocugen in our endeavour to expedite technology transfer activities towards commercial-scale manufacturing of Covaxin in North America,” he added.