Bharat Biotech International Ltd on Monday launched a new typhoid vaccine, claimed to be the world’s first clinically proven typhoid conjugate vaccine.
The privately-held company, which spent Rs 65 crore to develop the vaccine over a period of eight years of internal R&D, is now targeting a business of Rs 100 crore from this segment.
Currently, Bharat Biotech produces and markets a third-generation typhoid vaccine, which contributes about Rs 50 crore in revenue.
“This is the first typhoid conjugate vaccine to get a licence after going through the full scale clinical trial process,” said Krishna Ella, CMD, Bharat Biotech.
Typhoid vaccines currently available fall short of two major factors — long-term protection and protection for children below 2 years, an age group that’s mostly affected.
Titled TYPBAR-TCV, Bharat Bio’s fourth generation typhoid vaccine, is expected to address the shortcomings including low immunogenecity and being effective for a shorter duration. “We hope this vaccine will reach millions of people and help reduce the burden of this devastating disease in infants and children,” Ella added.
Bharat Biotech, which exports a substantial volume of typhoid vaccines to Pakistan and Bangladesh for both civilian and army requirements, will follow a dual pricing model for public and the private market.