Biotech dept, USV sign deal for typhoid vaccine

The department of biotechnology (DBT) has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with Mumbai-based biopharma player USV Ltd to develop and market a novel conjugate typhoid vaccine.

The proof of concept has been established and USV will start conducting pre-clinical and human trials. The vaccine is expected to hit the market in two years. The Indian market for typhoid vaccine is roughly Rs 30 crore while globally it is worth Rs 225 crore.

"We will be conducting the toxicology tests, other pre-clinical development work as well as late drug development in the form of human trials. As per the licensing agreement, there are milestone payments and royalty payment of 4-6 per cent," said Prashant Tewari, managing director, USV.

The typhoid vaccine, developed by a team of scientist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, has shown a high level of antibodies and would be effective on children under the age of five, which so far was an unserviced patient segment, said M K Bhan, secretary, DBT.

The Rs 600 crore USV currently markets its generic drugs in the US, Europe and Japan, besides catering to the domestic market. It plans to spend Rs 30 crore in developing its R&D programme, of which this typhoid vaccine is a component.

Asked if USV would be the preferred partner in the government's bulk procurement programme, Tewari said it was too early to comment.

Annually 16-33 million cases of typhoid fever are reported, of which 6,00,000 are fatal. The disease is a serious health threat in developing countries of Africa and South America, the CIS countries, South and East Asia and India.