by Indian vaccine manufacturer Bharat Biotech and the Netherlands-based Bilthoven Biologicals BV, (BBio) announced a collaboration, to further strengthen the production and supply security of Oral Polio Vaccines (OPV).
Bharat Biotech, a global leader in vaccine and biotherapeutic innovation, will procure drug substances for the production of oral polio vaccines to be supplied within India and globally, according to the press statement.
Through this collaboration, Bharat Biotech and BBio, a wholly owned subsidiary of Serum Institute of India Private Limited, will jointly obtain the regulatory approvals and licences required to commercially manufacture OPVs in India for global supplies from drug substances manufactured in the Netherlands at Bilthoven Biologicals.
Bharat Biotech is the largest manufacturer of oral polio vaccines, according to the company.
“Oral polio vaccines have been an integral part of the Government of India’s Universal Immunisation Program (UIP) for several decades, with Bharat Biotech being one of the largest suppliers to immunisation programmes across the world. This collaboration between BBIL and BBio exemplifies cooperation between vaccine companies, ensuring a secure supply of oral polio vaccines and fortifies the nation’s mission to eradicate polio,” Dr Krishna Ella, executive chairman of Bharat Biotech, said in a press statement
India committed to the resolution passed by the World Health Assembly for global polio eradication in 1988. National Immunisation Day (NID), commonly known as Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme, was launched in India in 1995, and is conducted twice in early part of each year.
India was certified polio-free by the Regional Polio Certification Commission on March 27, 2014. The last case of wild poliovirus in the country was reported on January 13, 2011 from Howrah, West Bengal, and no wild poliovirus case have been reported thereafter from any state or Union Territory of the country.
“We are delighted to join forces with Bharat Biotech to reinforce the global supply of polio vaccines. Our vision is to eradicate polio worldwide, taking a crucial step towards reducing the impact of this deadly disease on vulnerable populations,” Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, said in a press statement.
Polio, caused by the poliovirus, remains a serious health threat, leading to paralysis and even death in severe cases. Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure against polio.
Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/
