India's Bharat Biotech is set to make a significant impact in the global fight against cholera with the upcoming launch of its oral vaccine, Hillchol. As cholera outbreaks escalate and vaccine shortages worsen worldwide, Hillchol promises to be a timely and critical addition to global public health efforts, particularly in regions where the disease is most rampant.
Addressing a Global Health Crisis
Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration, continues to pose a significant threat in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a sharp increase in cholera cases in the first half of the year, with 249,793 cases and 2,137 deaths reported across 25 countries. This surge in cases has led to an unprecedented demand for cholera vaccines, with requests for 102 million doses, far exceeding the 51 million doses produced in the previous year.
Bharat Biotech aims to address this urgent need with Hillchol, which recently cleared a late-stage trial involving around 3,600 participants in India. The trial results indicated that Hillchol is safe and "non-inferior" to existing oral cholera vaccines, positioning it as a viable solution to the current vaccine shortage. With India's drug regulator already approving Hillchol, Bharat Biotech is now seeking the WHO's pre-qualification, a critical step that would enable the company to supply the vaccine to major global health organizations, including UNICEF.
Scaling Up Production to Meet Global Demand
To meet the growing demand for cholera vaccines, Bharat Biotech is planning an ambitious production scale-up for Hillchol. Initially, the company will produce the vaccine at its Hyderabad facility, which has an annual capacity of 45 million doses. However, Bharat Biotech is not stopping there. The company is awaiting approval for another facility, which will allow it to ramp up production to an impressive 200 million doses per year.
The company's investment in these production facilities is substantial, with approximately $100 million allocated for this purpose, according to a source familiar with the matter. This investment underscores Bharat Biotech's commitment to playing a leading role in global cholera prevention, especially at a time when the world is grappling with a shortage of 40 million vaccine doses annually.
Focusing on Africa: A Humanitarian Priority
Bharat Biotech has expressed a strong commitment to addressing the cholera crisis in Africa, where the situation is particularly dire. "Our intention is to first help the African continent where the situation is worse," the company told Reuters. This focus on Africa aligns with the region's urgent need for vaccines, as it continues to face the highest burden of cholera outbreaks.
In a further display of flexibility and collaboration, Bharat Biotech is open to working with African countries that wish to procure the drug substance and handle the final manufacturing locally. This approach could enhance local production capacities and ensure a more sustainable supply of cholera vaccines in Africa.
Hillchol: A Breakthrough in Vaccine Development
Hillchol, developed under a license from Singapore's Hilleman Laboratories, represents a significant advancement in cholera vaccine technology. Unlike existing vaccines that use multiple strains of the cholera bacteria, Hillchol is developed using a single strain with all the necessary antigens. This streamlined approach allows for greater productivity, as explained by Hilleman Laboratories' CEO Raman Rao: "If you have a single strain, it can give you better productivity of three to four times."
The vaccine is administered in two doses, 14 days apart, and can be given to individuals aged one and above. This makes it a versatile and accessible option for populations at risk, particularly in areas where cholera outbreaks are frequent and severe.
Looking Ahead: A Global Impact
Bharat Biotech’s efforts to bring Hillchol to the global market could significantly alter the landscape of cholera prevention. With the WHO’s pre-qualification, Hillchol has the potential to be a cornerstone in global vaccination campaigns, especially in regions hardest hit by cholera. As Bharat Biotech prepares to launch Hillchol on a global scale, the world may soon have a powerful new tool in the fight against this devastating disease.
(Source:www.business-standard.com)
Addressing a Global Health Crisis
Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration, continues to pose a significant threat in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a sharp increase in cholera cases in the first half of the year, with 249,793 cases and 2,137 deaths reported across 25 countries. This surge in cases has led to an unprecedented demand for cholera vaccines, with requests for 102 million doses, far exceeding the 51 million doses produced in the previous year.
Bharat Biotech aims to address this urgent need with Hillchol, which recently cleared a late-stage trial involving around 3,600 participants in India. The trial results indicated that Hillchol is safe and "non-inferior" to existing oral cholera vaccines, positioning it as a viable solution to the current vaccine shortage. With India's drug regulator already approving Hillchol, Bharat Biotech is now seeking the WHO's pre-qualification, a critical step that would enable the company to supply the vaccine to major global health organizations, including UNICEF.
Scaling Up Production to Meet Global Demand
To meet the growing demand for cholera vaccines, Bharat Biotech is planning an ambitious production scale-up for Hillchol. Initially, the company will produce the vaccine at its Hyderabad facility, which has an annual capacity of 45 million doses. However, Bharat Biotech is not stopping there. The company is awaiting approval for another facility, which will allow it to ramp up production to an impressive 200 million doses per year.
The company's investment in these production facilities is substantial, with approximately $100 million allocated for this purpose, according to a source familiar with the matter. This investment underscores Bharat Biotech's commitment to playing a leading role in global cholera prevention, especially at a time when the world is grappling with a shortage of 40 million vaccine doses annually.
Focusing on Africa: A Humanitarian Priority
Bharat Biotech has expressed a strong commitment to addressing the cholera crisis in Africa, where the situation is particularly dire. "Our intention is to first help the African continent where the situation is worse," the company told Reuters. This focus on Africa aligns with the region's urgent need for vaccines, as it continues to face the highest burden of cholera outbreaks.
In a further display of flexibility and collaboration, Bharat Biotech is open to working with African countries that wish to procure the drug substance and handle the final manufacturing locally. This approach could enhance local production capacities and ensure a more sustainable supply of cholera vaccines in Africa.
Hillchol: A Breakthrough in Vaccine Development
Hillchol, developed under a license from Singapore's Hilleman Laboratories, represents a significant advancement in cholera vaccine technology. Unlike existing vaccines that use multiple strains of the cholera bacteria, Hillchol is developed using a single strain with all the necessary antigens. This streamlined approach allows for greater productivity, as explained by Hilleman Laboratories' CEO Raman Rao: "If you have a single strain, it can give you better productivity of three to four times."
The vaccine is administered in two doses, 14 days apart, and can be given to individuals aged one and above. This makes it a versatile and accessible option for populations at risk, particularly in areas where cholera outbreaks are frequent and severe.
Looking Ahead: A Global Impact
Bharat Biotech’s efforts to bring Hillchol to the global market could significantly alter the landscape of cholera prevention. With the WHO’s pre-qualification, Hillchol has the potential to be a cornerstone in global vaccination campaigns, especially in regions hardest hit by cholera. As Bharat Biotech prepares to launch Hillchol on a global scale, the world may soon have a powerful new tool in the fight against this devastating disease.
(Source:www.business-standard.com)