- The Tata Medical and Diagnostics are currently working with India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research to carry out Moderna’s vaccine candidate’s clinical trials in India.
THD NewsDesk, New Delhi – Tata Group’s healthcare enterprise has commenced first discussions with Moderna Inc for collaboration to propel its COVID-19 vaccine in India.
The Tata Medical and Diagnostics are currently working with India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research to carry out Moderna’s vaccine candidate’s clinical trials in India.
Unlike Pfizer’s vaccine, which must be kept at minus 70 degrees Celsius or below, Moderna’s can be stored at regular fridge temperatures, making it more suited for poorer countries such as India, where cold chains are limited.
The one well-suited feature of Moderna for India is that it need not be stored at minus 70-degree celsius, as is in Pfizer.
Data issued in November from Moderna’s late-stage research showed 94.1% effectiveness with no severe safety concerns. The shot was approved for usage in the United States in December and Europe earlier this month.
India mandates that any vaccine producer carry an additional local study to be considered for its biggest vaccination program.
It gave emergency-use approval to a vaccine by Bharat Biotech, and state-run Indian Council of Medical Research, and another sanctioned from Oxford University and AstraZeneca provided by the Serum Institute.
India has the world’s second-highest COVID-19 cases after the United States, but daily cases have been declining since hitting a peak in September.
India’s drugs controller has said the AstraZeneca vaccine’s overall efficiency, locally branded COVISHIELD, was 70.42% based on trials executed abroad. Still, the endorsement for Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN has endured criticism due to the absence of effectiveness data.
