Bharat Biotech International Ltd (BBIL), a multidimensional biotechnology company specialising in product-oriented research, has announced the launch of BioHib, the first indigenously developed and manufactured Haemophilus Influenza type b (Hib) vaccine in India. BioHib is a conjugate vaccine that has proven its safety and efficacy in multi-centric clinical trials. BioHib is a safe and efficacious vaccine developed with conjugation and manufacturing technologies developed at Bharat Biotech. BioHib offers complete protection against Hib infections.

Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) bacterium causes serious disease, often life-threatening illnesses in young children. Hib can cause meningitis and severe pneumonia, leading to three million cases of serious illness and 400,000 deaths each year in children under five years of age. Hib is difficult to treat in the developing world, with infected children in developing countries are several times worse than those in industrialized countries. Invasive disease can be treated with antibiotics but lack of access to adequate medical facilities and increasing levels of antibiotic resistance lead to a high mortality rate: 20 per cent of children in developing countries with Hib meningitis will die (rising to an even higher percentage in Africa and Asia). 15 per cent - 35 per cent of children suffering from Hib meningitis will go on to develop life long disabilities such as mental retardation or hearing loss.

The scientific and product development teams at Bharat Biotech take pride in their efforts to develop and commercialize BioHib. While other Indian manufacturers have imported conjugation and manufacturing technologies from Europe, and USA, the scientific, manufacturing and product development teams at Bharat Biotech have completely developed all processes required to manufacture BioHib in-house at Bharat Biotech. Bharat Biotech has made significant investments to the tune of several million dollars over the past 4 years, into its R&D capabilities and its manufacturing facilities to enable the development and manufacture of BioHib.

Bharat Biotech also announces the launch of its tetravalent combination vaccine, Comvac4-HB containing Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus and hepatitis B in one vaccine. These two new vaccines BioHib and Comvac4-HB, enable the deployment of a combination pentavalent vaccine in a single injection.

"The launch of BioHib is a significant milestone for Bharat Biotech and more importantly for India, since all technologies were developed within India. BioHib has the ability to save the lives of millions of children worldwide at a very affordable price. The tetravalent and pentavalent vaccines give us the ability to protect children against multiple infectious diseases with a single injection. BioHib and Comvac4-HB are the latest offerings from Bharat Biotech in its commitment to develop safe and affordable vaccines for the developing world" said Dr Krishna M Ella, chairman and managing director of Bharat Biotech.