Bharat Biotech plans to hike Covaxin production to 12 million doses a month by July: Report

COVAXIN

Bharat Biotech plans to raise production of its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, to 12 million doses per month by July, form the current 5 million.

The Hyderabad-based company has made preparations to begin bulk production at its Bengaluru facility, The Economic Times reported.

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"The company has got the test licence to start production of Covaxin in Bengaluru. The fill-finish lines of its existing Hyderabad facility will be used before the vaccine is sent to the Central Drug Laboratory (CDL) for final approval," a government official told the paper.

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the story.

The second wave of COVID-19 cases in India has created an urgent need for more doses of Covaxin and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine (Covishield), and emergency approvals of more vaccines.

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Bharat Biotech has had discussions regarding tie-ups with other companies to boost manufacturing of shots, The Economic Times reported.

"The demand for Covaxin has gone up manifold and hence there is a need to ramp up production. The technology can be transferred to those companies which are BSL (bio safety level) III or are interested in upgrading their facility," a source told the paper.

Bharat Biotech has sought Rs 150 crore in funding — Rs 75 crore each for its facilities at Hyderabad and Bengaluru, the report said.

As of 7 am on April 12, 10.45 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, according to the Union health ministry.