US Delegation Visits Serum Institute in Pune, Explores Cooperation

PUNE, (ANI) – A US delegation visited the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune  on August 17 and noted the critical role played by US-India cooperation in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health challenges.

The delegation included US Mission Charge d’Affaires, Patricia Lacina, US Consul General in Mumbai Mike Hankey, Dr Preetha Rajaraman, HHS Health Attaché, and FDA Country Director, Dr Sarah McMullen.

The delegation met Chairman Cyrus Poonawalla and CEO Adar Poonawalla.

With the US Food and Drug Administration’s recent authorization of Novavax’s Nuvaxovid vaccine, SII has become the first Indian manufacturer to access the US vaccine market. Approximately 3.5 million SII-made doses of the Novavax vaccine have already been sent to the United States, a US Consulate statement said.

The delegates underlined the critical role played by US-India cooperation in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health challenges as they welcomed the partnership between US company Novavax and India’s Serum Institute on vaccine development and manufacturing.

In another statement, CEO of Serum Institute of India, Adar Poonawalla said, “The US and India have been close allies for the longest time. Together, they have created several milestones that have benefitted the citizens and the world, at large. The strong cooperation between both the countries on global vaccination and pandemic relief has been inspiring.”