IVI and BE partner to increase supply of affordable cholera vaccine
BE, a leading Vaccines and Pharmaceutical Company, to produce Oral Cholera Vaccine for India and international markets following IVI's technology transfer
Mahima Datla, Managing Director of Biological E. Limited
Hyderabad: The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) has announced the commencement of a technology transfer of simplified Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV-S) to Biological E. Limited (BE), a leading India-based vaccines and pharmaceutical company.
The technology transfer follows the signing of a license agreement in November last year. IVI will provide the technical information, know-how, and materials necessary for BE to produce OCV-S at their facilities. The aim is to increase the volume of low-cost cholera vaccines in India and the global public market, particularly during a surge of cholera outbreaks worldwide.
Scheduled for completion by 2025, IVI's transfer will enable BE to manufacture the oral cholera vaccine for India and international markets.
Dr Jerome Kim, Director General of IVI, stated, "The world needs a sustainable source of high-quality, affordable vaccines. We are pleased to partner with Biological E., a company with a proven history of making life-saving vaccines accessible globally."
Mahima Datla, Managing Director of Biological E. Limited, expressed, "We are glad to collaborate with IVI for the manufacture of a simplified Oral Cholera Vaccine. Our efforts aim to combat the disease and contribute to a legacy of innovation and health stewardship."
This agreement marks the sixth technology transfer for IVI, extending to manufacturers in India, the Republic of Korea, Bangladesh, and South Africa. The partnerships aim to achieve pre-qualification (PQ) from the World Health Organization, facilitating global procurement.
Dr Julia Lynch, Director of IVI’s Cholera Program, emphasized the importance of OCV-S in addressing cholera control and prevention amidst increasing outbreaks and strained vaccine supplies.
OCV-S, a simplified formulation with potential cost and capacity benefits, is part of IVI's strategy to confront cholera by ensuring supply, improving vaccines, and supporting their use and introduction. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has supported IVI's cholera program since 2000 and is funding this technology transfer to BE.