Serum to unveil hepatitis, DTP combination vaccine

Vaccines manufacturer Serum Institute of India Ltd (SIIL) is set to launch the first combination of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP) and hepatitis-B vaccine in India in the next six months.

The company, a leader in measles and DTP vaccines, had launched the Rabivax rabbis vaccine recently, which is the only indigenously developed human diploid cell (HDC) rabies vaccine in India.

"After the launch of th rabbis vaccine, the company will concentrate on the quadruple DTP and HB vaccine in India. This vaccine is expected to hit the market in the next six months. The work on the quadruple vaccine involving hepatitis B and DTP is complete. Work is on to combine this with Haemophilus B vaccine to make an effective pentavalent vaccine. The company will concentrate on making newer vaccines," said Subodh Bhardwaj, medical director, Serum Institute, on Friday.

However, he did not reveal the expected price of the quadruple vaccine.

The company is also developing a peptide vaccine for measles and Haemophilus Influenza vaccine apart from its research and development is on for a vaccine against AIDS.

"Rabivax is the only indigenously developed HDC rabis vaccine in India. Compared to other tissue vaccines, HDC products are considered the best as they offer best protection and very high safety standards. In fact, WHO considers it as the gold standard. Some years back the HDC vaccines were imported into India at a higher cost. With a competitive price tag of Rs 293, Rabivax will be within the reach of majority of Indians," said Bhardwaj.

The vaccines market in India contributes to four per cent of the total pharmaceuticals and drugs market and is growing at a CAGR of 20 per cent.

Although Serum was the latest to introduce the hepatitis B vaccine, it is already the second biggest in the segment and also the fastest growing.

Serum Institute manufactures polyvalent anti-snake venom serum, measles vaccine on human diploid cells, measles, mumps and rubella virus vaccine, polyvalent anti-snake venom serum (central Africa), mumps virus vaccine, measles and mumps virus vaccine, measles and rubella virus vaccine recombinant Hepatitis B vaccines and several other products.

The Pune-based company, with a turnover exceeding Rs 500 crore, has emerged as the largest exporter of vaccines and immuno-biologicals of the country with its products being exported to 138 countries across the globe.

The company has also chalked out diversification plans which include advances in a wider range of vaccinology including Molecular Biology and Recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, protein biochemistry and formulation of antigens containing newer excipients for better performance of the vaccines and delivery systems, lyophilisation on a vast scale, which will cater wider avenues of growth.