Serum Institute of India (SSI), which is now into a manufacturing partnership with AstraZeneca to yield Oxford University’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate, has denied reports that the shot may be launched in 73 days.
Serum Institute of India, has clarified that the current claims surrounding Covishield's availability in the media are completely false and conjectural. "Presently, the government has granted us permission to only manufacture the vaccine and stockpile it for future use", SII said in a statement. "Covishield will be commercialised once the trials are proven successful and all the requisite regulatory approvals are in place", it added.
"The phase-3 trials for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine are still underway. And only once the vaccine is proven immunogenic and efficacious, SII will confirm its availability, officially", the statement said. "Serum Institute of India, would like to clarify that the current claims surrounding Covishield's availability in the media are completely false and conjectural", it said. The clarification came after reports that the vaccine would get commercialised in 73 days.
Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical giant has registered for Phase II and III clinical trials on Covishield with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI). These trials will be conducted on 1,600 participants across India. Also, the country’s drugs controller had given approval to the company for conducting Phase II and III clinical trials of the vaccine candidate in the country earlier this month.
(With inputs from IANS
