While speculation mounts about Serum Institute being next in line for an RDIF partnership, Gland Pharma and Strides unit Stelis sign up to make COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V. Part of the 550 million dose output tied up from India so far could be consumed domestically, but exports are a possibility as demand from European countries is set to jump.

A COVID-19 vaccine alliance between US, Japan, India and Australia announced funding for Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine made by Biological E. Will the arrangement be extended to other vaccines and will the alliance push US to address materials export concerns, recently raised by Serum Institute?

Multiple COVID-19 vaccines, including from RDIF and Novavax, could get accelerated approvals in India in the first half of calendar 2021, expanding the range at the country’s disposal. J&J's vaccine is expected to follow although it still hasn’t begun local trials, while Pfizer has temporarily withdrawn an application.

J&J executive emphasizes that fast-tracked development of COVID-19 vaccines does not come with any corners cut around safety. Indian partner Biological E also outlines the complexities in manufacturing and believes that the candidates from J&J, AstraZeneca and others will be more suitable in profile and price terms to contain the pandemic globally.