New Delhi (NVI): In another major boost for India’s vaccine diplomacy, Indian vaccine manufacturer Bharat Biotech today applied for emergency use authorisation (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin in the Philippines.
The Embassy of India in the Philippines took to Twitter on the development and said, “Major step for Vaccine Maitri and Atmanirbhar Bharat as we seek to elevate bilateral ties to new heights. @bharatbiotech applies for EUA for India-developed COVAXIN in the Philippines.
Major step for #VaccineMaitri and #AtmanirbharBharat as we seek to elevate bilateral ties to new heights. @bharatbiotech applies for EUA for India-developed COVAXIN in the Philippines.@MEAIndia @DFAPHL @DrSJaishankar @teddyboylocsin @harshvshringla @ICMRDELHI
— India in Philippines (@indembmanila) January 21, 2021
Indian ambassador in Philippines, Shambhu Kumaran, also said that it is a moment of pride for Indian Research and Development. “A moment of pride for #Indian R&D! The first international regulatory filing for COVAXIN. Delighted it is in #Philippines, a vital Indo-Pacific partner. Process ahead will be challenging but today we celebrate those who made this key milestone possible!” he tweeted.
A moment of pride for #Indian R&D! The first international regulatory filing for COVAXIN. Delighted it is in #Philippines, a vital Indo-Pacific partner. Process ahead will be challenging but today we celebrate those who made this key milestone possible! @BharatBiotech @ICMRDELHI https://t.co/CNuclsSMJN
— Shambhu Kumaran (@shambhukumaran) January 21, 2021
Other companies seeking EUA approval in Philippines are British firm AstraZeneca, Russian company Gamaleya Research Institute and Chinese drug maker Sinovac Biotech, as per reports.
So far, the Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine has been approved for emergency use in the Philippines.
Earlier in January, the Covaxin produced by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), was given approval for emergency use in India. The other domestically manufactured vaccine give approval in India is Covishield developed by Serum Institute of India (SII).
-RJV/ARK
