Bharat Biotech recently announced the launch of its world's first clinically proven typhoid conjugate vaccine Typbar-TCV^TM, a fourth generation vaccine against typhoid disease, which according to the company, has proven to provide long term protection to adults and infants older than 6 months.

"Typhoid fever remains an important public health challenge in many countries of the world mainly because of poor diagnostics and increasing resistance to antibiotics. At present fundamental prevention strategies like improved sanitation, good hygienic practices and access to clean water are stillout of reach for many impoverished communities. One of the most cost effective approaches to prevent infectious diseases are, vaccines which are available now and could help control the disease resulting in reduction of unnecessary suffering and adverse financial consequences", said Dr Christian Loucq, MD, director-general of International Vaccine Institute (IVI).

During its development since 2005, Typbar-TCV^TM was evaluated in about 1200 healthy subjects at 9 clinical sites. In the pivotal Phase III clinical study, Typbar-TCV^TM presented 98% seroconversion in infants aged between 6 months to 24 months; 99% in children between 2 to 15 years of age; and 92% in the 15 to 45 year age group, as measured by 4 fold increase in serum IgA responses. Typbar-TCV^TM was also safe and well tolerated in all tested age groups said the company's press report.

Dr Krishna M Ella, chairman and managing director of Bharat Biotech said, "Bharat Biotech's Typbar-TCV^TM induces 'T' cell dependent response with much higher antibody levels providing a very high rate of immunity. We hope this vaccine will reach millions of people and help reduce the burden of this devastating disease in infants and children."

Bharat Biotech's vaccine production facility plant in Genome Valley currently has the capacity to produce 10 million doses each year, which is expandable to 50 million doses per year in the future.