NDDB’s subsidiary IIL collaborating with Australia’s Griffith University to develop vaccine for Corona virus

NDDB’s subsidiary IIL collaborating with Australia’s Griffith University to develop vaccine for Corona virus

8 April 2020, Anand: Hyderabad-based Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) will collaborate with Australia’s Griffith University to develop a vaccine for Corona virus (Covid -19).

Chairman, NDDB & IIL, Shri Dilip Rath informed, “In this significant cross-continental collaboration, scientists from IIL and Griffith University will jointly develop a ‘Live Attenuated SARS – CoV-2 vaccine’ or Covid-19 vaccine using the latest codon de-optimization technology. This technology looks promising for developing a vaccine for prophylactic, active, single dose immunization against coronavirus in humans, with an enhanced safety profile. The vaccine is expected to provide long-lasting protection.”

Upon completion of research, the vaccine strain will be transferred to IIL and the vaccine maker will work accordingly with the country’s regulator – Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) - to further conduct clinical trials which will be taken up in a phased manner.

Shri Rath said that IIL is a prominent player in veterinary biologicals and committed to addressing critical public health needs. IIL’s mission is to develop and supply vaccines that support the One Health initiative. IIL is committed to developing high-quality vaccines that are affordable. IIL is one of the largest producers of Foot and Mouth disease vaccine in the world and was the first company in India to launch the purified Vero cell rabies vaccine for humans (PVRV).

Speaking on the research collaboration, Professor Suresh Mahalingam, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Australia said, “We are very excited to be able to work closely with IIL for development of this important vaccine. As this vaccine will be a live attenuated vaccine, it is expected to be highly effective by providing very strong cellular and antibody immune responses against the virus. The other benefit of a live-attenuated vaccine is a proven track record for economical large-scale manufacturing and well-known regulatory approval pathway.”

IIL is already working with Griffith University for conducting research and development of Zika virus vaccine, which is currently at pre-clinical toxicology testing stage. The codon de-optimization technology has been successfully employed to reduce the virulence of several RNA viruses including Enterovirus C (Poliovirus), Human Immunodeficiency virus type 1, Zika virus etc.