For J&J, India may come across as lucrative mkt

Sources said Biological E can start local manufacturing and supply of J&J’s vaccine in India only if the American firm agrees to follow the legal compensation norms of the country.

Considering that J&J is only third to Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines in America, India may come across as a lucrative market with Biological E as a local partner. The fact that India too is looking at ramping up its vaccination coverage may also make it more viable for J&J. There is an in-principle visibility of around 5 crore doses per month given by the company, official sources said.

Indian health authorities have so far approved the use of vaccines developed by AstraZeneca (Covishield), Bharat Biotech (Covaxin), Russia’s Gamaleya Institute (Sputnik V) and Moderna.

However, supplies of Moderna’s vaccine are also yet to begin as talks over indemnity remain inconclusive.

If supplies from Moderna or J&J start, it will be in addition to the 135 crore doses projected to be supplied by government between August and December. While Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V are currently available in India, the government expects Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV-D and Biological E’s Corbevax to be approved soon.

Apart from these, Gennova Pharma’s vaccine candidate, Bharat Biotech’s intranasal vaccine and Novavax and SII’s Covovax are also in the pipeline.