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Indian Council of Medical Research ((ICMR) is looking at undertaking joint development and commercialisation of typhoid and paratyphoid vaccine and has now invited expression of interest from the eligible organisations, companies and manufacturers.
Giving details about the process the Council noted that under the EoI, the manufacturers/companies who are responsive and fulfilling all the technical need will be shortlisted based on their research and development plan, facilities, and capabilities. After the execution of the agreement such companies/manufacturers shall be responsible to pay the royalty @ 2% on net sales, as applicable, according to the ICMR Guidelines for Technology Development Collaboration.
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Typhoid is a bacterial infection that affects the intestines and sometimes the bloodstream. It’s caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacteria and can be life-threatening if left untreated. The disease is caused due to eating/drinking contaminated food or water, contact with an infected person’s faeces or urine or sexual contact with an infected person. Treatment includes use of antibiotics like chloramphenicol, ampicillin, or ciprofloxacin. Typhoid vaccines available in India include Typbar-TCV, Ty21a, Typhim Vi, and Typherix. Typhoid conjugate vaccines can be given to children over 6 months of age and Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccines can be given to children over 2 years of age. In India, TCVs are currently only available in the private sector.
According to recent studies, typhoid fever is considered a significant public health issue in India, with estimates suggesting that the country bears a large burden of typhoid cases globally, with millions of cases reported annually, particularly concentrated in urban areas, making it a major menace in the region. A study found a national incidence of around 360 cases per 100,000 people, translating to approximately 4.5 million cases annually.
Meanwhile, the ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (NIRBI) has developed a technology entitled “Enteric fever vaccine based on outer membrane vesicles from two different strains of Typhoidal Salmonella species”.
The objective of ICMR now is to validate the technology “broad specificity Typhoid and Paratyphoid vaccine against Salmonella Typhi, Salmonella Paratyphi ” developed at ICMR-NIRBI, Kolkata. This will be followed by proper regulatory compliances, commercialization and marketing, explained the Council.
Under the agreement the Company would be granted rights to undertake scientific/technical validation of the Technology as a Phase-I, only after signing of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) further development, manufacture, sale, and commercialize the technology/product vaccine (Typhoid & Paratyphoid Vaccine ) or undertake further R&D and commercialize the end product(s) /technology.
Under the agreement ICMR-NIRBI Institute will provide expert guidance and technical support for the production of Typhoid & Paratyphoid vaccine in all phases.
“Such technical oversight by ICMR-NIRBI Institute would accelerate the development of the Product and its commercialisation. The support will be provided through its team of experienced scientists in study planning, product development, development of study protocol, results/data analysis, outcome assessment, safety and efficacy assessment, product improvement, etc., if deemed fit upon the mutual understanding between ICMR and collaborative company,’’ noted the Council.
Published – February 15, 2025 12:09 pm IST
