Zydus Cadila aims to complete trial of COVID-19 vaccine by March

"We are also open to discussing partnerships with pharma companies in various geographies, but it is a bit premature right now, and we will be doing so at the end of Phase 1 and 2 trials," he said.

Early-stage Phase 1 and 2 human trials are likely to be concluded in the next three months, he said and added that permission for Phase 3 human trial for the potential vaccine will be sought after results fro Phase 1/2 trials.

Patel said the company will start production of 100 million doses of potential Covid19 vaccine annually after Phase 3 trial concludes successfully.

Cadila, among India's top 10 drugmakers by revenue, is also planning to produce the drug remdesivir that is in high demand globally after it showed promise in treating severe patients with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Cadila was among several Indian firms that reached an agreement with the U.S. firm Gilead Sciences last month, gaining a license for developing countries, including India, to make and sell the drug.

Patel said Cadila had the capacity to produce up to 400,000 doses of remdesivir in the first month after it wins regulatory approval to make it in India.

He also said that the company will satisfy India's remdesivir requirements before accepting export orders.

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