Hilleman Labs licenses oral cholera vaccine Hillchol to Bharat Bio

Hyderabad: Hilleman Laboratories, a global research and development organization focused on delivering high-impact and affordable vaccines, announced on Wednesday that it has entered into a collaboration with Bharat Biotech International Ltd. (BBIL), for further development, manufacturing and commercialisation of its next-generation oral cholera vaccine, Hillchol.

This collaboration will strengthen the ability of both organizations towards prevention of cholera through rapid and cost-effective deployment of vaccine doses in low and middle-income countries.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by vibrio cholerae and has been responsible for seven pandemics till date.

For further development of Hillchol, Hilleman Labs has entered into a licensing and manufacturing agreement with BBIL, who will scale the manufacturing process to commercial stage and establish product specifications required for WHO pre-qualification.

Speaking about the partnership, Dr Davinder Gill, CEO, Hilleman Laboratories said, "Vaccines play a critical role in improving healthcare outcomes globally, and Hilleman Laboratories is honoured to work with Bharat Biotech, a leading vaccine manufacturer in India fordevelopment, and if licensed, eventual manufacturing and commercialization of our innovative oral cholera vaccine Hillchol."

Dr Krishna Ella, CMD of Bharat Biotech International Limited, said, "We are delighted to lead the scale-up, development, manufacturing and commercialisation efforts for Hillchol with our collaboration marking an important step."