Pune-based National Institute of Virology(NIV) has developed a candidate vaccine against Japanese Encephalitis virus and is in talks with Bharat Biotech for its commercialisation and further development, it is learnt.

The institute has developed this chimeric peptide vaccine `candi 35’ in collaboration with Bioinformatics Centre, University of Pune, with funding from Department of Biotechnology. The product has been developed upto the laboratory scale and negotiations are reportedly in progress with the Hyderabad-based biotech major for its commercialisation, sources said.

“Using combination of bioinformatic tools and immunological studies, peptide sequences inducing neutralizing antibodies and T helper activity in mice were identified. Chimeric peptides incorporating both these epitopes showed induction of immunity against JE virus and partial protection from lethal challenge in mouse model,” sources said.

Four international patents were filed in the US, Korea, Japan and Philippines and one national phase application was filed in India based on PCT application. The Institute of Virology, which is under the Indian Council for Medical Research, has already several ties with Bharat Biotech. Both the sides had already inked an agreement for transfer of MRC- 5/VERO cell culture adapted from Indian isolate of hepatitis A virus for the preparation of hepatitis A vaccine.

The institute has also developed MAC ELISA kit for the diagnosis of Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue (DEN) and West Nile (WN) viruses. The technology has been transferred to Zydus Cadila, Mumbai through the Biotechnology Consortium India Ltd, New Delhi.