In light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Scrip looks at data to gauge if manufacturing partners for COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V or Light, in India, China and Korea could be left holding unsold inventory earmarked for exports

Médecins Sans Frontières says the latest draft of the proposed IP waiver must be rejected, and the WHO has suspended supply of Bharat’s COVID-19 vaccine over manufacturing issues. Two EU agencies have issued advice on fourth doses of mRNA vaccines, while GlaxoSmithKline has filed high-dose sotrovimab for patients with suspected Omicron BA.2 infection in Australia.

Despite Indian companies not being able to honor COVID-19 vaccine export commitments, Biological E’s MD believes mitigating circumstances mean relations with the agency won’t be damaged. Meanwhile, Corbevax is being used in India's immunization program and a tech transfer for Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine is going ahead.

Billionaire philanthropist and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation signals efforts underway to support building mRNA capacity in India amid the new platform’s potential beyond COVID-19 vaccines. He also highlights the need to bring down sharply the cost of gene therapies.