IVI initiates tech transfer for oral cholera vax to Biological E

Hyderabad: The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) announced on Wednesday that it has initiated a technology transfer of its simplified Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV-S) to Biological E Limited (BE).

This transfer follows a license agreement signed in November last year, with IVI providing the necessary technical information, know-how, and materials for BE to produce OCV-S at its facilities.

The goal is to enhance the availability of low-cost cholera vaccines in India and the global public market, particularly amidst increasing cholera outbreaks worldwide. Scheduled for completion by 2025, this transfer will empower BE to manufacture the oral cholera vaccine for both domestic and international markets.

Dr Jerome Kim, Director General of IVI, said, “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, said, “We are glad to collaborate with IVI for the manufacture of 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.