Bharat Biotech has written to India's drug regulator seeking an extension of the shelf-life of its indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin from six to 24 months, sources said on 25th April.

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Covaxin, along with Covishield manufactured by Serum Institute of India, are the two vaccines so far being used in India's current COVID-19 vaccination drive. Russian vaccine Sputnik-V has also been approved for emergency use in India. The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech was given permission for the sale and distribution of Covaxin with a shelf life of six months when stored at two to eight degrees Celsius. "Now, we are herewith applying for the extension of shelf life from six months to 24 months when stored at 2-8 degreesCelsius", the firm said in its application to the Drugs Controller General of India.

In support of their proposal, Bharat Biotech has submitted updated accelerated and real-time stability data of Coaxin along with the justification for the extension of shelf-life. The DCGI had extended the shelf-life of Covishield from six to nine months from its manufacturing date in February.