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Swine influenza

Cadila Pharmaceutical Limited Aims to Launch Swine Flu Vaccine by November 2009

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Cadila Pharmaceutical Limited, an Ahmedabad-based pharma major, is hopeful to be the first to launch a vaccine for the H1N1 swine flu virus by November this year. The company has set up a joint venture (JV) with US-based vaccine maker Novavax for manufacturing vaccines, including one for swine flu. The JV company, CPL Biologicals Pvt Ltd, is seeking approval for phase one clinical trials for the swine flu vaccine from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). If approved, the vaccine is expected to be available in November 2009. To protect against the swine flu pandemic, two dosages of the vaccine are required over two weeks. The company intends to produce 2 million vaccine doses on a monthly basis and scale up production to meet global demand.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cadila Pharmaceutical Limited is aiming to be the first to launch a vaccine for the H1N1 swine flu virus by November 2009.
  • The company has set up a joint venture (JV) with US-based vaccine maker Novavax for manufacturing vaccines, including one for swine flu.
  • The JV company, CPL Biologicals Pvt Ltd, is seeking approval for phase one clinical trials for the swine flu vaccine from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
  • Two dosages of the vaccine are required over two weeks to protect against the swine flu pandemic.
  • The company intends to produce 2 million vaccine doses on a monthly basis and scale up production to meet global demand.
  • The joint venture has already started building a facility costing Rs 100 crore in the CPL campus at Bhat to produce the vaccines.
  • Cadila Pharma has 80% equity and Novavax has 20% in the JV.
  • The company has a position on the board of directors of Novavax courtesy of its 5.75% equity stake in Novavax Inc, USA.

Statistics:

  • 2 million: The number of vaccine doses the company intends to produce on a monthly basis.
  • Rs 100 crore: The cost of the new facility being built in the CPL campus at Bhat to produce vaccines.
  • 80%: The equity stake of Cadila Pharma in the joint venture CPL Biologicals Pvt Ltd.
  • 20%: The equity stake of Novavax in the joint venture CPL Biologicals Pvt Ltd.
  • 2: The number of dosages of the vaccine required over two weeks to protect against the swine flu pandemic.

Sources:

  • TOI (The Times of India)
  • IA Modi, chairman and managing director, Cadila Pharmaceutical Limited.

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