New Delhi: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday announced that Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved the Serum Institute of India's COVID-19 vaccine Covovax, Biological E's jab Corbevax and anti-Covid pill Molnupiravir for restricted use in emergency situation.
Union Health Minister made the announcement via Twitter stating: "Further strengthening the fight against COVID-19, CDSCO & Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has given 3 approvals in a single day."
Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the CDSCO on Monday gave nod to Covovax and Corbevax with certain conditions. It also recommended granting restricted emergency use approval for Molnupiravir.
Six other Covid-19 vaccines — Serum Institute's Covishield, Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, Zydus Cadila's ZyCoV-D, Russia's Sputnik V, and the US-made Moderna and Johnson and Johnson — had already received EUA from the Indian drug regulator earlier.
CORBEVAX
Hyderabad-based firm Biological-E will manufacture the covid-19 vaccine Corbevax. It is India's first indigenously developed RBD protein sub-unit vaccine against coronavirus. It's now 3rd covid vaccine to be developed in India.
COVOVAX
Pune-based firm Serum Institute of India will produce the Nanoparticle Vaccine, Covovax.
MOLNUPIRAVIR
Molnupiravir, an antiviral drug, will now be manufactured in India under a consortium of 13 pharma companies. It will be for restricted use under emergency situation for treatment of adult patients with coronavirus and those who have a high risk of progression of the disease