The Serum Institute of India (SII) is readying one billion doses of five different vaccines against Covid-19, across the world before the end of 2021-22, a report has said.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the world’s largest vaccine maker by volume, said his company plans to launch at least one vaccine every quarter likely by the beginning of next year.
These will include Covishield, Covovax, COVIVAXX, COVI-VAC, and SII COVAX. Covishield, which is being developed by Oxford University in collaboration with drug-maker AstraZeneca, is currently undergoing Phase 3 of clinical trials in India among nearly 1,600 people.
Serum Institute of India has partnered with AstraZeneca to manufacture the vaccine candidate, which is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2021 and immunisation is expected to start by January if clearances are given early.