US Pharma Major J&J Seeks Emergency Use Approval For Its Single-Shot COVID-19 Vaccine In India

United States-based pharmaceutical giant Johnson and Johnson (J&J) has sought approval for its single-shot Covid-19 vaccine in India.

The development comes as another US-based firm Novavax also applied for Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)'s approval for emergency use of its Covid-19 vaccine on Thursday (5 August). Novavax has partnered with the Pune-based Serum Institute of India for manufacturing its vaccine.

In a statement issued on Friday (6 August), the J&J said it submitted its emergency use approval application on Thursday (5 August).

J&J has partnered with the Indian biotech firm Biological E for the production of its vaccine in India.

"This is an important milestone that paves the way to bringing our single-dose COVID-19 vaccine to the people of India, and the rest of the world, through a collaboration with Biological E. Limited," the company said in a statement.

"Biological E will be an important part of our global supply chain network, helping to supply our Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine through the extensive collaborations and partnerships we have with governments, health authorities and organisations such as Gavi and the COVAX facility," it added.

J&J's vaccine developed by Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson comprises one shot and reportedly found to have 85.4 per cent efficacy against severe disease and 93.1 per cent against hospitalisation, reports Hindustan Times.