Bharat Biotech, a Hyderabad-based biotech firm, on Monday launched HNVAC, India’s first indigenously developed H1N1 swine flu vaccine to prevent the spread of H1N1 influenza.
It is the only developing world flu vaccine to be manufactured in cell culture technology, a highly sterile and controlled manufacturing process.
Krishna Ella, chairman and managing director, Bharat Biotech said, “This cell culture vaccine has faster production cycle, without the external dependence on eggs. It can produce large quantities with short time span during emergency.”
This single dose vaccine, developed by Bharat Biotech’s scientists at the Genome Valley facility in Hyderabad, was proved safe and tolerated after extensive Phase I, II and III clinical trials in India.
“While there’s certainly widespread and growing concern around H1N1, there are a number of people who did not get a flu shot last year. We will make the vaccines easily accessible in the market and through government agencies, at an affordable cost to high risk groups,” Ella added.
HNVAC has received approval from Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), WHO, CDC Atlanta and USFDA, according to a company release.