Ahmedabad: A new H1N1 vaccine may hit medical
stores by April and clinical trials have already begun, its
makers today said.
"The company has got approval from Drug Controller
General of India (DCGI) for conducting clinical trials for its
H1N1 vaccine on Monday. Accordingly, the trials have started,"
Zydus Cadila spokesperson, Sujata Rajesh, told PTI.
With speedy completion of trials and fast track
approvals, the indigenous H1N1 vaccine is expected to hit the
markets by April, Rajesh said, adding the demand for the
vaccine in India is estimated to touch 50 to 60 million doses
in the initial phase.
Chairman and Managing Director, Zydus Cadila, Pankaj R
Patel said, "India`s readiness with a vaccine that is safe and
effective in Indian conditions is critical as we go all out to
create an H1N1 free zone."
"Our researchers and vaccine experts have worked hard to
strengthen our fight against the H1N1 virus. With the vaccine
in market soon, we should be able to prevent further loss of
lives to this disease, he said in a statement.
H1N1 Influenza A (2009) is the first pandemic influenza of
21st century accounting for over 1,000 lives in India so far.
"At present we are conducting Phase-I trials for the
vaccine, and subsequently shall be undertaking Phase-II and
III trials that would be spread across several cities, Rajesh
said.
Currently, the H1N1 vaccine market is estimated to be USD
676 million and is expected to cross USD 7 billion by 2011.
The group has also recently set up a state-of-the-art
Vaccine Technology Centre near its manufacturing facility at
Moraiya, Ahmedabad.
PTI
