New Delhi: India’s government said on Thursday it has inked a deal with domestic vaccine maker Biological-E for 300 million COVID-19 vaccine doses for Rs 1,500 crore ($205.62 million), the first such order for unapproved shots.The RBD protein sub-unit vaccine, which is currently undergoing phase-3 clinical trials, is likely to be available in the next few months, the health ministry said in a statement.Biological E., which also has a separate deal to produce about 600 million doses of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 shot annually, said on Tuesday it entered into a licensing agreement with Providence Therapeutics Holdings to manufacture the Canadian company’s mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in India.Biological-E will run a clinical trial of Providence’s vaccine in India and seek emergency use approval.According to Hindustan Times, the health ministry’s statement said the arrangement with M/s Biological-E is part of a “wider endeavour” to encourage indigenous vaccine manufacturers by providing them support in research and development (R&D) and financial support.The vaccine candidate has been supported by the Centre since the pre-clinical stage. “The department of biotechnology not only provided financial assistance in terms of grant-in-aid of over Rs 100 crore but has also partnered with Biological-E to conduct all animal challenge and assay studies through its Research Institute Translational Health Science Technology Institute, Faridabad (Haryana),” the statement adds.India, the world’s second most populous country, has suffered a disastrous second wave of infections that is only now abating.Health experts India needs to carry out mass vaccination of its 1.3 billion people to reduce the impact of subsequent waves.Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has drawn criticism for a slow vaccine rollout even though India is one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of doses.Earlier in May, Biological-E managing director Mahima Datla had told Reuters that the company plans producing 75 million to 80 million doses a month from August.(With Reuters inputs)