TATA Group’s healthcare venture reportedly have started initial discussions with Moderna Inc for a partnership to launch its COVID-19 vaccine in India, reported a news agency. TATA group's, Tata Medical & Diagnostics might team up with the India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research to carry out clinical trials of Moderna’s vaccine candidate in India. 

Unlike US based Pfizer’s vaccine, which mandated minus 70 degrees Celsius or below, Moderna’s can be stored at normal fridge temperatures, making it more suited for climatic conditions of countries such as India also where cold chains are limited. As of the data released in November from Moderna’s late-stage study showed it was 94.1% effective with no serious safety concerns. The shot was approved for use in the United States in December 2020 and in Europe earlier this month. India regulates vaccine maker to conduct an additional local study, atleast Phase III trials if it has to be considered for the world’s biggest vaccination programme. 

India’s drugs controller has informed the overall efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine, COVISHIELD, was 70.42% based on trials done overseas, but COVAXIN by Bharat BioTech has faced criticism due to the lack of efficacy data. 

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