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Indian Immunological Ltd (IIL) is all set to launch a recombinant vaccine ‘CysVax’ that will prevent Cysticercosis in Pigs by this year-end.
“The world’s first recombinant vaccine will stop the formation of cysts in Pigs caused by a form of tapeworm. In some cases, the cysts tend to get into the human body on consumption of pork making them vulnerable to brain disorders like epilepsy”, explained K Anand Kumar, Dy. Managing Director of IIL.
The Hyderabad-based IIL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has collaborated with the University of Melbourne, Australia and GALVmed, global alliance for veterinary medicine, Scotland in the development process of this vaccine.
The WHO categorises Cysticercosis as a neglected tropical disease. It spreads from pigs infected by the tapeworm called Taenia solium potentially to humans when raw or under cooked pork is eaten.
The vaccine is administered to the pig and it works by eliminating the parasite’s ability to transmit. At present, the German major Hoechst AG has a vaccine, which is priced around ₹14, which turns out to be expensive to the majority of farmers. The IIL plans to price it within affordable range. The Gates Foundation has part funded and all trials have been completed in Peru, Chile and Spain as well as India. The necessary process for registration has been done, Anand Kumar told BusinessLine .
GALVmed is undertaking studies to see the possible links between pigs and human epilepsy.
Apart from this, IIL is also doing phase-3, clinical trials for pentavalent vaccine, a paediatric 5-in-1 combination vaccine, that includes protection against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, pertussis and haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib). It is expected to be launched in October 2016.
IIL is also working on developing chikungunya vaccine. The company has invested ₹60 crore in its campus to produce the pentavalent vaccine, along with the upgradation of all its manufacturing facilities.
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