World’s First Zika Virus Vaccine Made in India, Claims Hyderabad Scientists

A global health emergency has been declared by the World Health Organisation following increased reports of the Zika virus. As the world searches for a vaccine and other global companies take first steps on research, the scientists from an Indian pharmaceutical company based in Hyderabad are claiming that they have developed a vaccine for the Zika virus.

World's First Zika Virus Vaccine Made in India (1)

The Bharat Biotech International Limited in Hyderabad on Wednesday claimed that they have developed the first ever vaccine against the deadly Zika virus. They say, in fact, that they have two. The company in its statement said, “We are probably the first in the world to file for the global patent for Zika vaccine candidates. Out of the two, one is a recombinant vaccine and another inactivated vaccine. The project was initiated a year ago.”

Using a live Zika virus imported officially, the Hyderabad Company has now developed two candidate vaccines, but taking them through animal and human trials could be a long haul. Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech Ltd said that two vaccines made by the company are set for pre-clinical testing in animals. He also said he had sought the government’s support on this and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has stepped forward to help.

The announcement comes just a day after French company Sanofi Pasteur announced that it has launched a vaccine research and development project to target the Zika virus.

“We have just been informed about the Zika vaccine candidate that Bharat Biotech has. We will examine it from the scientific point of view and see the feasibility of taking it forward. It is a good example of a Make in India product,” Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, pediatrician and Director General, ICMR.

Infection of the Zika virus happens when the Aedes mosquito bites a person. Aedes mosquito also transmits the Dengue virus and is found widely in India. Dr Ella said in a best case scenario his company can make one million doses of the vaccine in four months. He has sought the direct intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the vaccine’s development and delivery is fast-tracked, cutting through the red tape of regulatory clearances, pointing out that the vaccine can help countries.

Experts have lauded Bharat Biotech’s foresight in working on a vaccine so far ahead on a neglected disease that has now taken global epidemic proportions. The company boasts of developing path-breaking advancement in producing vaccines for Typhoid, Chikungunya and Rotavirus.

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