Pact annulled, Brazil suspends Covaxin trials

New Delhi, July 24

Brazil on Saturday suspended clinical trials of Bharat Biotech’s Covid-19 vaccine candidate Covaxin after the Indian company yesterday terminated the contract with its Brazilian partner. Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa announced the suspension of trials after Bharat Biotech on Friday said it had cancelled the MoU with Precisa Medicamentos and Envixia Pharmaceuticals for the supply of 20 million doses of Covaxin doses to the South American nation.

“The suspension was carried out as a result of a statement from the Indian company Bharat Biotech International, sent to Anvisa on

Friday,” said the Brazilian health regulator today, close on the heels of the $320 million deal to buy Covaxin landing into controversy in Brazil, ultimately leading to Bharat Biotech cancelling its MoU with the partners that were embroiled in a scandal there.

Brazil had on July 30 suspended the multi-million dollar deal with Biotech on the recommendations of the federal comptroller general. — TNS