The Pune-based company has collaborated with Oxford University and pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca for making the vaccine and is conducting trials in India.

“As promised, before the end of 2020, @SerumInstIndia has applied for emergency use authorisation for the first made-in-India vaccine, Covishield,” SII CEO Adar Poonawala said in a tweet. 

He further said: “This will save countless lives, and I thank the Government of India and Sri @narendramodi ji for their invaluable support.”

Last week, Pfizer India said it has applied to India”s drug regulator DCGI for emergency-use authorisation for its COVID-19 vaccine, after the company”s parent received clearance for the treatment from Britain and Bahrain.