Zydus Cadila is looking to start clinical trials of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate, Mint has reported.
The Ahmedabad-based company has begun looking for partners to begin the trial, and a formal announcement is expected soon, the report said.
Moneycontrol could not independently verify the story.
Zydus Cadila has already developed the world's first DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, which has been granted Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) in India. However, the rollout of the jab, called ZyCoV-D, is yet to begin.
NITI Aayog Member Dr V K Paul recently said that the price of the vaccine is an issue.
"The price is also a clear issue. Talks are going on and a decision will soon be taken. With full preparation, it will become a part of the country's national vaccination programme. We are looking forward to receiving recommendations of the NTAGI on the beneficiary or target group to which the vaccine has to be given. The work is in progress and you will hear more about this in the times to come," he said, as quoted by PTI.
Apart from Zydus Cadila, Pune-based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals is also developing an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19. Hyderabad-based Biological E has signed a licensing agreement to manufacture Canadian company Providence Therapeutics's mRNA vaccine in India.
Shots developed by Pfizer and Moderna were the first mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to be rolled out in the world.