Bharat Biotech unveils rotavirus vaccine

Hyderabad: City-based biotechnology company Bharat Biotech on Tuesday announced the commercial roll-out of Rotavac 5D, the lowest dose volume of rotavirus vaccine.

The first generation, rotavirus vaccine, launched by Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi, was developed under a public-private partnership with the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Government and other international partners.

The oral rotavirus vaccine Rotavac 5D is used in the prevention of rotavirus diarrhoea. It is available in single-dose, multi-dose vials, and pre-filled syringes. The company said it has received commercial licensure and the vaccine is available for sale.

Stressing on creating awareness about various health problems, M Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India, said: "While the government is doing its best, it is a greater social responsibility on every medical professional to remove apprehensions about vaccination, for prevention of diseases and to better the health of the nation and its people."

Bharat Biotech said it invested $20 million to develop new manufacturing facilities and supporting infrastructure in its Genome Valley plant in Hyderabad.

The facility has an installed manufacturing capacity of 200 million doses per year. The project was supported in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech said, "We are proud to announce the milestone of 100 million doses of Rotavac supplies.

Building on this success, we are pleased to announce the introduction of Rotavac 5D, the lowest dose volume rotavirus vaccine in the world."

Rotavac 5D has been evaluated in clinical trials in India and other countries.