Ocugen to commercialize Covaxin in Mexico

Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) is a global leader in vaccine innovation, and Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company. The two have mutually agreed on an amendment to their agreement regarding co-development, supply, and commercialization to expand Ocugen’s exclusive territory to include the commercialization of Covaxin in Mexico. That will give Ocugen Covaxin commercialization rights for all of North America.

“We’re excited to commercialize Covaxin in Mexico, as authorities there have made conquering this pandemic a major priority. After meeting with Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, in Delhi, we are encouraged by the role of Covaxin in Mexico’s continuing efforts to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic. Covaxin is currently under review by COFEPRIS (Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios) for emergency use among children between 2 and 18 years of age Ocugen is prepared to collaborate with the public health community to help their efforts. We also thank Bharat Biotech for helping make this opportunity a reality,” Dr. Shankar Musunuri claimed. He is the chairman of the board, chief executive officer, and co-founder of Ocugen, Inc.

“We are delighted to announce our partnership with Ocugen for Mexico, along with the United States and Canada. Covaxin is a safe and productive inactivated vaccine for all age groups, as evident from its data from the global introduction. We fully support team Ocugen in our endeavor to expedite technology transfer activities towards commercial-scale manufacturing of Covaxin in North America,” Dr. Krishna Ella claimed. He is the chairman and managing director of Bharat Biotech.

The current extension of this license between Ocugen and Bharat Biotech concerning the commercialization of vaccines in Mexico will include the same structure for sharing the profits as in the United States.

Covaxin is a virion, inactivated vaccine that combines an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 antigen with an adjuvant (6µg + Algel–IMDG [TLR7/8]). The vaccine was developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the National Institute of Virology (NIV) of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Covaxin is known to be a highly purified and inactivated vaccine that is manufactured using what is known as a Vero cell manufacturing platform. With the current supplies of more than 350 million doses globally for adults and children, Covaxin is presently authorized for emergency use in over 25 countries, including Mexico. The applications for emergency use authorization are currently pending in more than 60 other countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already added Covaxin to its list of vaccines authorized for emergency use. Moreover, as many as 110 countries worldwide have already agreed to the mutual recognition of the vaccination certificates with India that includes vaccination using Covaxin.

Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene therapies, biologicals, and vaccines while improving health and offering hope for people and global communities.

Bharat Biotech has already established an excellent track record of innovation with over 145 global patents. It has a comprehensive product portfolio of more than 16 vaccines, four bio-therapeutics, with registrations in more than 123 countries, and the World Health Organization (WHO) Prequalifications.

Covaxin was one of two vaccines created in India as the nation has the unique distinction of being the first country in the world to have invented two vaccines for COVID-19.