Cipla Ltd. has launched adult Hepatitis B vaccine in India. Under a co-exclusive agreement with Serum Institute of India Private Limited (SII), Cipla will market the vaccine for adults while SII will market it for adults and children.

Umang Vohra, managing director and global chief executive officer of Cipla Ltd., said: “This agreement will enable Cipla to provide affordable vaccines for a chronic disease like Hepatitis B. Cipla’s strong marketing network and reach will ensure maximum accessibility of the vaccines in India.”

In India, around 40 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B. This infection is responsible for 70 per cent of chronic hepatitis and 80 per cent of liver cirrhosis. Hepatitis B is spread through cont act with an infected person’s blood and body fluids. At risk are all those who are not vaccinated against the infection. Since 2002 the Hepatitis B vaccine has been a part of India’s Universal Immunization Programme.

This vaccine is able to protect 95 per cent of recipients from developing chronic Hepatitis B. The vaccine is given in three doses that include one after the first month of the first dose and the second after 6 months post the first dose. The vaccine can protect the recipient from this infection for decades. In addition, it is expected to bring down the number of cases of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.