Shantha Biotechnics launches 4-in-1 vaccine
(CORPORATE BUREAU – Financial Express – August 20, 2005)
HYDERABAD, AUG 19 : Hyderabad-based biotech firm Shantha Biotechnics Ltd announced the launch of the country’s first indigeneously developed 4-in-1 combination vaccine in the country, Varaprasad Reddy, MD, Shantha Biotechnics said that, the new vaccine protects children against four life-threatening infections diphteria, tetanus, pertussis and Hepatitis-B. This combo-vaccine Called Shantetra, has undergone trials at five centres with 150 subjects without causing any adverse affects.
At present, GSK and Chiron are the two global companies that manufacture the tetravalent vaccine . Globally, the phenomenon of combination vaccines is catching up as it reduces the number of infections, cut overall cost of vaccination besides increasing parent acceptability and simplify delivery logistics. While the conventional vaccine is given six times, Shantetra hopes to reduce the doses to three times for a child, Mr Reddy added.
We are the first Indian company to indigenously develop all the components of this combination vaccine. This is the outcome of our efforts to bring about new generation vaccines,” Mr Reddy said. Being a trusted vendor to UNICEF, WHO, Shantetra is expected to capitalise on the reputation built by the flagship product Shanvac-B to enter major markets. Shantetra is available in two presentations – 0.5 ml and 5 ml and can be administered to infants from the sixth week onwards.
Elaborating on the demand, Mr Reddy said about 130 million children are born every day thus having a market size of 390 million. Hence, the company is gearing up for WHO qualification thus targeting at least 70-80 million doses from international agencies apart from domestic sales. “We are hoping to get WHO qualification by this year end and with this,” Mr Reddy added.