Cambridge

US biotechnology company Moderna on Tuesday announced that India has granted permission for its COVID-19 vaccine to be imported into the country for restricted use in an emergency situation.

With this, now four vaccines have been given the Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) in India. "I want to thank the government of India for this authorisation, which marks an important step forward in the global fight against the pandemic," said Stephane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna according to the company's release.

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Mumbai-based pharmaceutical firm Cipla's application to import Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine.

Moderna's ready-to-use injectible COVID-19 vaccine is authorised pursuant to a registration certificate and a permission to import the vaccine for restricted use in an emergency situation in India, in adults aged 18 years and older.

Moderna has also received emergency (or other conditional, interim or provisional) authorisation for use of its COVID-19 vaccine from health agencies in more than 50 countries and an Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO).