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#Vaccine

Good News

Takeda Partners with Bio E for Global and Local Supply of Dengue Vaccine

Takeda, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, has joined forces with India's Biological E to collaborate on the production and distribution of the Dengue vaccine. The partnership aims to address the growing need for the vaccine in India and other countries affected by the disease. Addressing the Global Dengue Problem Dengue fever has become a significant global health concern, with incidence rates increasing drastically over the past few decades. The partnership between Takeda and Bio E is a crucial step in combating the spread of this mosquito-borne viral disease. By leveraging their combined expertise and resources, the two companies aim to accelerate access to the Dengue vaccine, known as QDENGA. Expanding Vaccine Supplies The collaboration between Takeda and Bio E will play a vital role in ramping up the production of the Dengue vaccine. Takeda's President of the Global Vaccine Business Unit, Dr. Gary Dubin, emphasized the importance of this partnership in meeting the demand for the vaccine in India and other endemic countries. The multi-dose vials of the vaccine will be made available for government procurement by 2030, enabling national immunization programs to combat the disease effectively. Accelerating Manufacturing Capacities As part of the partnership, Bio E will increase its manufacturing capacity to produce up to 50 million doses of the Dengue vaccine annually. This expansion will support Takeda's goal of manufacturing 100 million doses per year within the next decade. The manufacturing will take place at Takeda's facility in Singen, Germany, while also benefiting from their existing partnership with IDT Biologika GmbH. Local Trials and Regulatory Approvals While the Dengue vaccine, TAK-003, is not yet approved for use in India, Takeda is actively working with Indian regulatory authorities to obtain the necessary licensure. Dion Warren, Takeda's Head of India and Southeast Asia multi-country organization, confirmed that they have received a "no objection certificate" and are collaborating with Indian regulators for local trials. These trials will supplement the data obtained from global trials and contribute to the vaccine's overall efficacy. Tiered Pricing and Access Philosophy Takeda has a well-defined access philosophy and policy of tiered pricing, allowing the company to adjust the vaccine's cost based on the economic conditions of endemic countries. While the focus is currently on the Dengue vaccine partnership, Takeda remains open to future collaborations to address other public health challenges. By combining their resources and expertise, the two companies aim to accelerate the production and distribution of the Dengue vaccine, ensuring its availability to governments and individuals in endemic regions. With the growing global incidence of Dengue, this collaboration is a significant stride towards mitigating the impact of this widespread disease. 

1 Mar 2024
Good News

The Big Bang of Medicine: How the Germ Theory of Disease Changed the Course of History

The germ theory of disease is a scientific concept that explains how infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses. It was first proposed in the mid-19th century by French microbiologist Louis Pasteur and German physician Robert Koch. Before the discovery of the germ theory of disease, people believed that infectious diseases were caused by supernatural forces or "bad air." However, Pasteur and Koch showed that diseases such as tuberculosis, cholera, and anthrax were caused by specific microorganisms. The germ theory of disease has had a significant impact on the field of medicine and public health. It has led to the development of vaccines, antibiotics, and other medical treatments that have helped to control and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The theory also emphasizes the importance of good hygiene practices, such as handwashing and sterilization of medical equipment, to prevent the spread of germs. It has also played a crucial role in promoting public health measures, such as vaccination campaigns and disease surveillance programs. Despite the advances made in controlling infectious diseases, the threat of new and emerging diseases remains a concern. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has highlighted the importance of continued research and innovation in the field of infectious disease control. The germ theory of disease has revolutionized our understanding of how infectious diseases are spread and has paved the way for the development of effective treatments and preventative measures. It remains a cornerstone of modern medicine and public health practices.

5 Apr 2023
Good News

A vaccine for infant diarrhoea

The first oral vaccine for infant diarrhoea has been successfully developed by a team of Gujarat scientists. The diarrhoea is caused by shigellosis- an acute invasive infection disease of the lower intestine. It is caused by a bacteria called shigella. Symptoms include diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps. Globally, the shigellosis infection affects an estimated 165 million cases of people, especially children in developing countries like India. Of these, about one million people succumb to the disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), shigellosis is the second most fatal disease after rotavirus which is antibiotic resistant. Shigellosis is a contagious disease. It is important to wash hands thoroughly and to supervise children when they wash their hands. Soiled diapers should be disposed of in a proper way. Former vice-chancellor of Sardar Patel University(SPU), professor Harish Padh was the head of the team which developed this important oral vaccine. It is one of the most important medicines to fight the harmful bacteria shigella. The best part is that it is an affordable vaccine. Padh said that in India, shigellosis is most prevalent among children under the age of five. Efforts were being made to develop an effective vaccine against this fatal disease. The Gujarat team finally met with success.  

18 Oct 2017
Good News

A step to counter dog bites

With the increasing number of dog bite cases and difficulty in procuring the anti-rabies vaccine, the Kerala state government has given the go-ahead to manufacture the vaccine directly in its laboratory. With this move, Kerala will probably be the first state in the country to produce the vaccine directly. The vaccine for both humans and animals would be developed simultaneously at separate labs at the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAH&VB) at Palode under the state Animal Husbandry Department. It will cost the state Rs 150 crore. State Animal Husbandry Department Director N N Sasi informed that advanced cell culture technology will be used to develop the vaccine. Currently, the institute produces viral and bacterial vaccines against cattle and poultry diseases. Sasi added that their aim was to complete the infrastructure facilities and start the work within the next six months. If all goes as per plan, then production can be started in the next two-three years. He stated that Kerala is not only planning to produce the vaccine for its own use but also sell it at an affordable rate to other states where there is a shortage of anti-rabies vaccine. Once the vaccine is produced, it will be distributed through all veterinary hospitals and public health centres across the state. The health and veterinary authorities often faced problems of shortage of vaccines, delay in distribution, budget issues and complicated purchase procedures in procuring anti-rabies vaccine. As it is a government product, other states won’t have to go through complicated tender procedures. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Consultancy Service (NABCONS) has been entrusted with preparing the project report of the initiative.

16 Oct 2017
Good News

Zika virus vaccine trials made on animals successful, clinical trials to start next month

Soon we will get a vaccine against the deadly Zika virus as a Hyderabad based firm Bharat Biotech has successfully conducted the trials of killed Zika virus vaccine on animals which has confirmed immunity in the animals against the disease over a period of time. The vaccine confirmed immunity against both Asian and African strain Zika viruses. Vaccination is nothing but killed viruses or inactivated viruses that are infused in our body so that our body develops immunity against them. The viruses are killed by various physical and chemical processes. As per the study published in the Nature group journal Scientific reports, the killed Zika virus vaccine was made using an African strain. The trials on animals were carried out by injecting two doses one of 5 and other of 10 microgram through intramuscular way. It was injected on days 0 and 21 which demonstrated that the animals gained immunity against the virus seven days after the second vaccination. A Phase I clinical trial of Zika virus vaccine will start in India next month. The trails will be placebo controlled and will be done on 48 adults both men and women. Two dosages will be injected, one on starting day and other on day 30. They will be observed for a year for safety and immunity feedback.        

18 Apr 2017
Good News

Positive Reads

Cancer Vaccines To be Rolling Out Soon

On Wednesday, February 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that his nation's experts were on the verge of developing cancer vaccinations that patients might soon be able to obtain. Speaking at a seminar on future technologies in Moscow, Putin made a very astounding claim that might completely transform the medical industry. In the broadcast speech, Putin stated, "We have come very close to the creation of so-called cancer vaccines and immunomodulatory drugs of a new generation." Putin said, "I hope that soon they will be effectively used as methods of individual therapy," but he did not say which kind of cancer the new vaccinations will specifically target. Although several nations have been attempting to create cancer vaccinations, this is the first time a head of state has made a claim this audacious. A deal was struck between the UK's Tory government and Germany's BioNTech last year to begin clinical trials offering "personalized cancer treatments" and  to enroll 10,000 patients by 2030. During mid-stage research of a cancer vaccine, US pharmaceutical giants Moderna and Merck & Co. reported that the likelihood of melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer, reoccurring or dying was reduced by half after three years of therapy. The development of a cancer vaccine in Russia is hardly shocking. Moscow created Sputnik V during the coronavirus epidemic, and when the whole population received the vaccination, the findings were encouraging. Putin acknowledged that he had taken Sputnik to reassure the public about its reliability and security. As a result, the vaccine was supplied to several nations worldwide. A background on vaccinations and cancer ~ The idea of developing cancer vaccines is not wholly novel. Scientists have discovered links between some viruses and a higher chance of developing several forms of cancer over time. For instance, HPV is known to cause cervical cancer. In the 1980s, HPV and cervical cancer were initially connected. This virus is quite widespread. Approximately 80% of individuals will have HPV infection at some point in their life. Cervical cancer is not always the result of HPV infection, but it can raise the risk. The HPV vaccination is distributed as part of a national initiative. Initially, teenage females were immunized against HPV strains 16 and 18. Approximately seven out of ten instances of cervical cancer are linked to these strains. The vaccination is now available to all youngsters between the ages of 11 and 13 and protects against nine types of HPV. Up to the age of 25, there is a catch-up program available for individuals who did not receive it. A significant research conducted in 2021 revealed that vaccination significantly decreased the risk of cervical cancer. Women in their 20s who were provided the vaccination at the age of 12 or 13 had their chances of developing cervical cancer reduced by about 90%. In a similar vein, there is a 15–25% increased risk of liver cancer associated with Hepatitis B. These, however, are examples of prevention; vaccinations are used to stop a virus, which lowers the chance of cancer. Creating vaccinations to prevent cancer is a distinct process. The concept underlying these vaccinations is that cancer will be treated with them as opposed to prevented. Where are we now, then? Researchers encounter several obstacles in their quest to develop cancer vaccines. A few have already been conquered. We already know how to target tumors because of the identification of antigens unique to distinct tumor types. However, certain obstacles are inescapable, such as the length of time required for vaccination trials and the requirement to create customized vaccines to target various tumor types. On the other hand, recent advancements in cancer vaccinations have been noteworthy. The standard vaccination timeframe has been accelerated and enhanced by the use of mRNA. And with more vaccinations, studies, and volunteers, this new alliance will hasten the progress even more. Cancer vaccinations were science fiction only a few decades ago. Now they’re becoming a reality! 

16 Feb 2024
Positive Reads

Global News

A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Medicine: Soon You Can Say Goodbye to Painful Needles

Imagine a future where vaccines and biologics can be delivered without the need for painful needles. That future could be closer than we think, thanks to a team of scientists who have developed a new way of administering therapeutics that is both painless and fear-free. The MOF-Jet, as it's called, uses compressed gas to deliver powdered vaccines that don't require refrigeration, making it ideal for use in remote or hard-to-reach areas. The idea for the MOF-Jet was born out of pandemic-induced boredom, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about delivering medicines. Unlike traditional injectors, which can be painful and sometimes even dangerous, the MOF-Jet feels like being hit with a foam toy. The secret to the MOF-Jet's success lies in the tiny cages, called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), that contain the vaccine powder until it is safely inside a cell. The MOFs are normally made of gold or tungsten, but the team found a way to use zeolite instead, making it much more affordable. With the ability to tune the cargo release simply by changing the injector's carrier gas, the MOF-Jet opens up a world of possibilities for pain-free drug delivery. The team's research will be presented at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society, but the implications of their work could be felt for years to come. The MOF-Jet is a promising step forward in the quest for painless and fear-free drug delivery, and it could be just what the doctor ordered.

2 Apr 2023
Global News

The US Approves the World’s First Vaccine for Honeybees for Conditional Use

The importance of bees to mankind is beyond measure. Their pollination activity generates food for all. So it is imperative to take measures to stop the decline in the bee population. Earlier this week, a biotech company said that the USDA (Department of Agriculture) had given them a conditional license for their honeybee vaccine. The vaccination strengthens the bee's immune system to combat American foulbrood disease, a bacterial infection that is brought on by Paenibacillus larvae and is known to harm colonies. Until now, the only option for treating the highly contagious illness was to burn the bees, the contaminated hives, and all the associated equipment. When all the worker bees have consumed the vaccine, it is then absorbed into the royal jelly, which is fed to the queen. Fragments of the vaccine are deposited in her ovaries when she consumes it. The growing larvae have immunity when they hatch because they have been exposed to the vaccination. Dr. Annette Kleiser, CEO of Dalan Animal Health said in a statement that their vaccine is a breakthrough in protecting honeybees, impacting food production on a global scale. Trevor Tauzer, owner of Tauzer Apiaries and board member of the California Beekeepers Association remarked that this was an exciting step forward for beekeepers as they had to rely on antibiotic treatment that had limited effectiveness and required lots of time and energy to apply to the hives.

17 Jan 2023
Global News

World Is Gearing Up for Future Pandemics With a Universal Flu Vaccine

For decades, scientists have been trying to develop a vaccine that can prepare the body to counter all existing strains of the influenza virus. They have come a long way and are just one step away from creating a universal vaccine after tests conducted on animals have shown convincing results. The experimental flu vaccine is mRNA-dependent, just like the COVID vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Although it has only been tested on mice and ferrets, the vaccine offers significant evidence that a single shot may be used to combat a whole family of viruses. If the vaccination program is successful in humans, it might be applied to other viral families, potentially including the coronavirus. The current influenza vaccines protect against seasonal flu, but they wouldn't offer much defense against a novel strain that might become a pandemic threat. For instance, the traditional vaccine provided minimal protection from the virus during the 2009 H1N1 swine flu pandemic. The universal vaccine would not take the place of yearly flu shots, but it would offer protection from serious illness and fatality from potential pandemic threats. Scott Hensley, an immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania, who led the work stated in the NewYork Times “If we had a vaccine like this that was widely used prior to that epidemic, we might not have to shut everything down if a new influenza pandemic broke out tomorrow”. The next step would be to test the vaccine on monkeys and humans.

7 Dec 2022
Global News

Global Inspirations

First Universal Flu Vaccine to be Tested

Researchers at Oxford will be testing a seasonal flu vaccine that would be the first in the world. The clinical trial will span two years and involve more than 2000 patients. Oxford University’s Jenner Institute and Vaccitech have developed this so-called universal vaccine. The existing flu vaccines have to be changed each year to match strains of virus circulating at the time. They are not found to be very effective in all cases, especially in older patients with weak immune systems. Researchers developed the new vaccine by using proteins found in the core of the virus rather than those on its surface. Surface proteins stick out like pins from the virus and change all the time, while those in the core are found to be stable. What makes this vaccine universal is its ability to stimulate the immune system to boost virus-killing T-cells which can help fight more than one type of flu virus. Researchers hope the new vaccine will provide better and longer-lasting protection when used alongside the regular seasonal flu shot. The new vaccine has already cleared the initial safety rials. Now, it has advanced to Phase IIb testing.It is the first time a universal flu vaccine has progressed beyond Phase I clinical testing

3 Oct 2017
Global Inspirations

Scientists develop new plant based polio vaccine

Now, there is hope of global eradication of polio as scientists have developed a new vaccine to combat polio using plants. Researchers from John Innes Centre, Norwich in the UK  have developed the vaccine with a method that uses virus-like particles (VLPs)  which are grown in plants. These VLPs are non-pathogenic mimics of polio virus that can be used as a vaccine against the age old viral disease. Plant tissues are infiltrated with genes that carry information to produce VLPs.  Researches informed that the host plant then reproduces large quantities of VLPs using its own protein expression mechanisms. George Lomonossoff, a professor at John Innes Centre, Norwich said that it is an incredible collaboration involving plant science, animal virology and structural biology. Although VLPs look like viruses, they are non-infectious. The nucleic acid which allows the virus to replicate has been removed through biological engineering. Therefore, they imitate the behaviour of the virus triggering the immune system to respond without causing an infection of poliomyelitis. This vaccine has been highly successful in animals as proved by the laboratory tests. This will pave way for human vaccines to be produced by plants on a major scale with the input of pharmaceutical industry collaborators.  

17 Aug 2017
Global Inspirations

3 African nations to get world's first malaria vaccine

The world’s first notably effective malaria vaccine is ready and will be distributed in 3 African countries - Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi to save the life of thousands who suffer from malaria. This is the first malaria vaccine to have successfully completed a Phase III clinical trial and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa is introducing the RTS,S to Africa. The RTS,S vaccine counters the malaria parasite by training the immune system to attack it. It needs to be given four times-once a month for three months and then a fourth dose 18 months later. The WHO came up with the vaccine through tightly controlled and well funded clinical trials. It  is running pilots in three countries to see if a full malaria vaccine programme could be started. The safety and effectiveness of the vaccine will also be assessed on a regular basis. The WHO chose Ghana, Kenya and Malawi because large programmes to tackle malaria are already in full swing there, including the use of bed nets, yet there exists high number of cases. The maximum number of cases of malaria is in Africa. Global efforts have helped to bring down the deaths due to malaria by 62% in the period between 2000 and 2015. Yet, there were cases of 4,29,000 deaths due to the disease in 2015 and most of them were young children in Africa.    

26 Apr 2017
Global Inspirations

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