ZyCoV-D is the world’s first plasmid DNA vaccine. which will be administered intradermally on day 0, day 28 and day 56 using a needle-free system.
New Delhi: Zydus Cadila has started supplying its needle-free anti-Covid vaccine ZyCoV-D to the government, the company announced on Wednesday.
“The company has commenced supply of its Covid-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D to the Government of India from its newly commissioned, state-of-the-art Zydus Vaccine Technology Center of Excellence at Zydus Biotech Park in Changodar, Ahmedabad. The company said in a statement.
The government ordered 10 million doses of the vaccine for the National Anti-Covid Immunization Program last year. The company is also planning to make this vaccine available in the market.
ZyCoV-D is the world’s first plasmid DNA vaccine. The three-dose vaccine will be administered intradermally on days 0, 28 and 56 using a painless PharmaJet needle-free system called Tropis.
The cost of the vaccine will be ₹265 per dose and ₹93 per dose for the applicant excluding GST. The company said it has signed an agreement with Shilpa Medicare Limited, a contract manufacturing organization, to manufacture doses of ZyCoV-D. It also has an agreement with Enzychem Lifesciences of the Republic of Korea for product licensing and technology transfer for the vaccine.
“Zydus VTEC manufactures the drug substance for the needle-free DNA plasmid vaccine, ZyCoV-D. The manufacturing process and in-process material transfer are automated within the plant,” Zydus said in the statement.
The National Medicines Regulator approved the vaccine for restricted use in emergency situations for people aged 12 and over. The company had earlier announced that it should have a production capacity of around 10-12 million doses per month.
The Union Health Ministry has said that the Zydus vaccine will initially be used in districts with low first dose coverage in Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The vaccine will be rolled out across the country later.