On Wednesday, March 17, in a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Maharashtra government sought permission for technology transfer and other assistance to manufacture the coronavirus vaccines in Mumbai-based Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation, a premier biopharmaceutical research institute.
State health minister Rajesh Tope said if the ICMR transfers technology, the Maharashtra government can initiate manufacturing of Covaxin at Haffkine in Mumbai. He also stated that the only condition is that 25 per cent of such production must be reserved for the state.
It can make up to 126 million doses of the vaccine.
State medical education minister Amit Deshmukh said the Haffkine will set up a new plant for manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine in collaboration with Bharat Biotech. The project will cost INR 154 crores.
It will be done in two phases -- the first phase includes, fill and finish operations, which will be started by taking vaccines in bulk from Bharat Biotech. In the second phase, Haffkine will start manufacturing on its own by taking technology from the firm, which will take one and a half years. The vaccine will be available from April or May if Haffkine receives the vaccine early.
In response, the PM said they will encourage all the industries and institutions for developing the coronavirus vaccine. The Centre will also be looking to promote utilizing such facilities in all the states 24x7 a day, said a statement issued by the chief minister office.
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