Eight firms express interest in developing monkeypox vaccine to ICMR

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has received 31 bids from manufacturers showing interest in developing vaccine against the monkeypox virus after the medical body floated the Expression of Interest (EOI) for the development of vaccine and diagnostic kits, a source said recently.

According to the source, of the total 31 bids, eight companies have submitted the EOI for the vaccine development, while 23 firms showed interest towards the development of kits.

However, no company has been awarded the tender yet, and it is currently under evaluation, the source added. The manufacturers would develop the vaccine through public-private partnership.

The ICMR had invited the EOI for the development of vaccine and diagnostic kits for monkeypox last month on 27th July.

The EOI was invited from the experienced vaccine manufacturers, In-Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) kit manufacturers for joint collaboration in developing of vaccine candidate against monkeypox. The last date for submission of EOI was 10th August.

So far, India has reported 10 cases of monkeypox infection.

Edits by EP News Bureau