Brussels, Dec 18, 2020, SPA -- Drug developer Moderna Inc said on Friday the European Commission had exercised its option to purchase an additional 80 million doses of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine, Reuters reported. The European Commission's total order commitment to date is now 160 million doses and the first deliveries of the vaccine to European countries is slated to begin in early 2021 following regulatory approval, the company said. (https://bwnews.pr/3gYEjNX) Moderna's vaccine appeared set to receive regulatory authorization as early as Friday in the United States after a panel of outside advisers to the Food and Drug Administration endorsed its use with a 20-0 vote and one abstention that the vaccine's benefits outweighed its risks. The European Union has supply deals with other vaccine makers, including for up to 300 million doses of Pfizer Inc and Biontech's shot. --SPA 21:18 LOCAL TIME 18:18 GMT 0015 www.spa.gov.sa/w1469946