The Serum Institute of India (SII), application to manufacture a vaccine against Omicron variant of Covid-19 for examination, test and analysis has been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), official sources said.

"With reference to your application, please find herewith the permission to manufacture SARS-CoV-2 rS Protein (Covid-19) recombinant spike protein nanoparticle vaccine (omicron variant) for examination, test and analysis under the provisions of New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 to manufacture the test batches of the drug/drugs mentioned therein," an approval order issued on February 4 stated.

The Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs at the SII, Prakash Kumar Singh had put in an application to the DCGI on January 6 stating the Pune-based firm, in collaboration with Novavax, is working on the development of a vaccine against Omicron, an official source said, adding that the SII has obtained permission and licence to manufacture SARS-CoV-2rS drug substance for examination, test and analysis.

Last month Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla had stated that a vaccine that targets the Omicron variant of Covid-19 will be ready by March and the manufacture of the same had already begun.

Meanwhile, Moderna had also stated that they are working on a booster dose that will target the Omicron variant.