Datla claimed that the Corbevax vaccine was superior to the Covishield vaccine and could neutralize multiple variants of concern, including Beta, Delta and the most recent Omicron variant. She said it has sustained immunity, which lasts longer with a minimal drop in antibody titers.
Biological E has priced its Corbevax vaccine, intended for children in the age group of 12-15, at Rs 145 per dose for the government and Rs 800 per dose for private sector buyers.
Together with the taxes and costs of administering vaccines, the cost to the private sector would add up to Rs 990 per dose.
The government on Wednesday rolled out vaccination for 12-15 age groups across the country and has received 50 million doses of Corbevax so far. It has already paid Biological E an amount of Rs 1,500 crore for obtaining 300 million doses of vaccine. The company has applied for WHO prequalification and is awaiting an on-site inspection in the coming weeks.
Mahima Datla, director of Biological E, said the domestically developed vaccine would save the country an estimated 1,500 rupees.
The vaccine is being produced at multiple facilities in Hyderabad and annual production is expected to reach a billion doses, Datla said. The clinical trials involved children between the ages of five and 18, and the company sought regulatory approval for the 5-12 age group. The company said it was confident the vaccine was safe and added that it would conduct trials on children up to five months in the future.
Biological E has invested Rs 900 crore as working capital to purchase raw materials and Rs 1,000 crore to expand production facilities. The investment in R&D and clinical trials was about 500 crore, of which Rs 250 crore was invested by the company and the other Rs 250 crore by the government enterprise of the Department of Biotechnology, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Coalition for Epidemic Prevention and Innovation (CEPI).
Stockpiling of the vaccines, which have a shelf life of one year, began in October 2021. As of now, the government would be the biggest buyer, with only about 10% of the supply expected to come to private markets. Biological E conducted clinical trials on 4,000 volunteers at 35 clinical trial sites.
Datla claimed that the Corbevax vaccine was superior to the Covishield vaccine and could neutralize multiple variants of concern, including Beta, Delta and the most recent Omicron variant. She said it has sustained immunity, which lasts longer with a minimal drop in antibody titers.
Biological E partnered with Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College to develop Corbevax. US Dynavax supported the development of Corbevax by providing the adjuvant, while THSTI Delhi conducted major immunogenicity testing.
This post Covid-19 Vaccine Update: Organic E’s Corbevax Costs Rs 800 Per Dose
was original published at “https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/covid-19-vaccine-update-biological-es-corbevax-to-cost-rs-800-per-dose/2463263/”
