Pfizer on Wednesday decided to withdraw its application for Emergency Use Authorisation of its COVID-19 vaccine in India.

The US-based pharma giant, which was the first drugmaker to apply for emergency use authorisation of its COVID-19 vaccine in India, had a meeting with India's drugs regulator and the decision was made.

"In pursuance of the Emergency Use Authorisation of its Covid-19 vaccine, Pfizer participated in the Subject Expert Committee meeting of the Drug Regulatory Authority of India on February 3. Based on the deliberations at the meeting and our understanding of additional information that the regulator may need, the company has decided to withdraw its application at this time," a Pfizer spokesperson said.

"Pfizer will continue to engage with the authority and resubmit its approval request with additional information as it becomes available in the near future. Pfizer remains committed to making its vaccine available for use by the Government in India and to pursuing the requisite pathway for emergency use authorisation that enables the availability of this vaccine for any future deployment," the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, India begin its mega vaccination drive against the COVID-19 from January 16 after approving two vaccines from emergency use in the India – Bharat Biotech's indigenously manufactured Covaxin and Serum Institute of India's locally manufactured Covishield.

(With inputs from IANS)