India to develop vaccines for encephalitis, chikungunya

Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), Hyderabad, is on its way to develop vaccines for chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis. “We are the first to attempt developing a vaccine for chikungunya. The pre-clinical trials on animals have been very promising.

Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), Hyderabad, is on its way to develop vaccines for chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis. “We are the first to attempt developing a vaccine for chikungunya. The pre-clinical trials on animals have been very promising.

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If we develop Japanese encephalitis vaccine in India, it will work out much cheaper for the consumer,” said Dr Ramesh Mathur, general manager, Research and Development, IIL.

The company hopes to conduct human trials in the next six to 12 months, and commercialisation of the vaccine within two to three years. The vaccine was developed after the company acquired the chikungunya virus strain from US.

“Once approved, IIL intends to manufacture the vaccines in Hyderabad,” said N Anand, general manager, marketing, IIL. HTC