BE’s Covid vax gets WHO emergency use authorization

Hyderabad: CITY-based pharmaceutical company, Biological E (BE) Limited, announced that the World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded Emergency Use Listing (EUL) to its Covid vaccine, Corbevax. Representing India's inaugural indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine on a protein sub-unit platform, Corbevax signifies a significant milestone in the country's efforts to combat the pandemic.

Previously approved by the Drugs Controller General of India, Corbevax served as a crucial tool in pan-India immunization campaigns, particularly for 12-14-year-old children, with 100 million doses supplied to the government. The vaccine, a heterologous Covid-19 booster shot for adults aged 18 and above, received WHO's recognition as an effective measure in the global fight against Covid-19.

Mahima Datla, Managing Director of BE, expressed satisfaction with the WHO EUL, emphasizing its potential to contribute to ongoing vaccine development efforts. She highlighted BE's commitment to providing affordable, high-quality vaccines globally, citing the WHO endorsement as a pivotal step.

BE's forward-looking initiatives include a next-generation Covid-19 vaccine based on the XBB1.5 variant, aligning with WHO TAG-CO-VAC recommendations. Pre-clinical studies indicate its efficacy against current variants, and clinical trials in India have received regulatory approval.