Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine may come to India through govt route

Players like Indian Immunologicals willing to partner US firm to manufacture here

After US-based Moderna, Inc. released the interim data from late-stage trials that showed its vaccine candidate was 94.5 per cent efficacious against the Sars-CoV-2 virus, the ball has been set rolling in India. While players like Hyderabad-based Indian Immunologicals (IIL) say they are open to a manufacturing collaboration with Moderna, the Indian government, too, has opened dialogue with the firm. 

India may also directly purchase the vaccine from Moderna and distribute here, claimed sources. “The US government has invested in research and development (R&D) as well as committed procurement of the vaccine once ready. It will have a say when it comes to Moderna’s tie-ups overseas. It is more likely that after supplying to the US market, Moderna’s vaccines may be bought by Indian government and distributed here,” said a source. 

On its part, Moderna has not yet initiated talks with any of the leading players in India. It has received $1 billion from the US government for R&D and has a $1.5-billion deal to supply 100 million doses to the US. The US government also has the option for another 400 million doses. The company aims to produce 500 million to 1 billion doses in 2021. Therefore, there would be sufficient excess capacity that Moderna will have to distribute globally. The US has a population of 330 million and aims to procure vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Novavax. 

Prasanna Deshpande, deputy managing director of IIL, said they are open to a manufacturing collaboration with Moderna for their vaccine. Talks have not been initiated yet. 

Another vaccine maker felt if India decides to import the Moderna vaccine, they would need a fill-and-finish partner here in India for more control over the supply chain. Moderna’s vaccine can be stored at normal fridge temperatures of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius for 30 days and it can be stored up to six months at minus 20 degree Celsius. Therefore, having a local partner would enhance India’s control over vaccine distribution. 

Moderna’s vaccine is based on messenger RNA technology platform, and so far, apart from Gennova Biopharmaceuticals of Pune, no other Indian player is working with this technology for a Covid-19 vaccine. Gennova, however, is not yet collaborating with Moderna, company sources told Business Standard. 

Messenger RNA or mRNA vaccine basically makes use of these mRNA molecules that tell the body’s cells to r-create the spike protein of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, or copies of the spike protein. This, in turn, will prompt the body’s immune system to create antibodies to fight it. These antibodies will remain in the blood and when someone encounters a real coronavirus, it would trigger an immune reaction. 

A leading vaccine maker here said a manufacturing collaboration was possible with some investment in the technology. “Indian players can make this vaccine here, provided Moderna is willing to share technology. It would need some investment on our part too,” he said. 

SHOT IN THE ARM

> Moderna vaccine showed 94.5% efficacy in interim data from trial

> Vaccine can be stored at 2-8 degrees Celsius for 1 month; at minus 20 degrees Celsius, it can be stable for 6 months

> India may purchase and distribute Moderna vaccine here, say sources

> Moderna will need to supply 100 mn doses to US; US can buy another 400 mn

> It aims to make 500 mn to 1 bn doses in 2021

> Industry feels India would need a fill-finish capacity here to bring Moderna vaccine

> Players like Indian Immunologicals are open to collaboration with Moderna