Novavax has granted Serum Institute rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize its COVID-19 vaccine candidate in selected regions, in another endorsement of the Indian group's capabilities. The agreement, which expands on an earlier association, gives Serum exclusive marketing rights in India until the deal ends and non-exclusive rights for developing countries to the end of the pandemic, with the US firm getting half of net revenue.

High-profile experts including Anthony Fauci and Adrian Hill share views at the ICMR symposium on progressing safe COVID-19 vaccines backed by ethical trials executed with appropriate scientific rigor. Human challenge studies, "vaccine nationalism" and equitable access were among the key issues deliberated, while India committed to making its coronavirus vaccines and related capabilities available to the world.

More news from across the sector, including Novartis's non-profit pledge on medicines and Zydus Cadila commencing Phase I vaccine trial.

A third set of authoritative results from UK trial ruled out use of AbbVie's HIV combination, plus Bharat Biotech to launch Phase I vaccine trials.