The EU is also talking to French pharmaceutical firm Valneva VLS.PA about a potential deal for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, two EU officials involved in the negotiations said.
Millions of doses of the Valneva vaccine, which started Phase I and II clinical trials in December, have already been booked by Britain. Before applying for approval, vaccines must prove safe and effective in large-scale Phase III trials.
Valneva and the European Commission did not respond to requests for comment.
The EU is also close to signing a contract with U.S. firm Novavax NVAX.O for up to 200 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, one of the EU officials said, adding a deal was "imminent".
In December, the European Commission said it had concluded preliminary talks with Novavax, a move that usually precedes the signing of a contract. (Full Story)