Bharat Biotech Unveils Next-Gen Oral Cholera Vaccine to Close Global Gap

By siliconindia  |  Tuesday, 27 August 2024, 04:21:17 PM IST

Bharat Biotech Unveils Next-Gen Oral Cholera Vaccine to Close Global Gap
Pharma leader Bharat Biotech has introduced a new oral cholera vaccine (OCV) aimed at addressing the persistent global public health threat of cholera, particularly in areas with poor sanitation. The vaccine, named HILLCHOL (BBV131), is a single-strain formulation that requires administration on two separate occasions: on day 0 and day 14. It is designed for children aged one year and older.
Bharat Biotech stated that the vaccine was developed under a license from Hilleman Laboratories, based in Singapore. The company also mentioned that it has set up large-scale manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, with the capacity to produce up to 200 million doses.
“Vaccines provide the best intervention to prevent, limit, and control cholera outbreaks Our new large-scale cGMP production facilities in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar will significantly enhance our production and supply capabilities for this Oral Cholera Vaccine, advancing our efforts to combat cholera globally”, said Dr. Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech.
While cholera is preventable and treatable, global cases and deaths have risen steadily since 2021. From early 2023 to March this year, 824,479 cases and 5,900 deaths were reported in 31 countries. While global demand for OCVs exceeds 100 million doses annually, there is currently only one manufacturer supplying OCVs worldwide, resulting in a yearly deficit of about 40 million doses.
The new vaccine aims to address the gap in cholera prevention and significantly support the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) in its objective to reduce cholera-related deaths by 90% by 2030, alongside advancements in water and sanitation infrastructure. The company highlighted that HILLCHOL's safety and efficacy have been confirmed through pre-clinical, Phase I, II, and III clinical trials.
“A multi-stage clinical evaluation process, culminating in a Phase III study, confirmed the vaccine's safety, immunogenicity, and non-inferiority to existing OCVs, establishing its potential for widespread public health use”, it added. The HILLCHOL vaccine is available as a single-dose respule and should be stored at temperatures between +2°C and +8°C. Additionally, it is offered in a mono-multidose format, marking one of the first instances of such a presentation for vaccines.
Source: IANS

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