The Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers' Network (DCVMN), a WHO initiated group of vaccine manufacturers have asked the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) for a separate R&D fund for development of indigenous vaccines for tropical diseases.

According to the Indian members of DCVMN, GAVI has taken note of the need for a permanent representation of DCVMN in its committee and has inducted a DCVMN nominee to its directors' board recently. The presence of a DCVMN nominee in the GAVI Board is likely to help the vaccine manufacturers of the developing countries in expressing their common concerns before the international body, it is felt.

GAVI is a global alliance partnering the World Health Organisation (WHO), Bill and Melinda Gates Children's Vaccination Program, The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), The World Bank Group and governments, research institutions and vaccine industry of various countries.

Informing this to Pharmabiz.com, delegates to the second annual meeting of DCVMN, held at Geneva in June 2002, said that the network is aiming at getting a separate R&D fund earmarked by GAVI for vaccine development by developing countries. Pointing out that 60 per cent of the total vaccines produced in the world from developing countries, DCVMN members said the funds would help vaccine manufacturers in the developing countries to initiate research on new vaccines against tropical diseases.

"The objective of DCVMN is to take leverage of the network and develop vaccines for tropical diseases. Though the network initiated by WHO, was meant for public sector vaccine manufacturers in the developing countries, it has now been opened to private sector also. The aim of the network is to work on the preventive & curative aspects of tropical diseases. If necessary, the member companies may also go for transfer of technology", they said.

The participants of the second annual meeting of DCVMN included Indian companies like Serum Institute of India, Biological E Ltd., Shantha Biotechnics Ltd., and Bharat Biotech International Limited. It is also known that some of Indian companies have already signed contracts with network members from other countries for the supply of bulk drugs and intermediates.

The DCVMN members felt that there is a great responsibility on them to manufacture vaccines for tropical diseases. "We must have access to R&D driven companies in the developed countries. Our manufacturing costs are cheaper than developed countries. Let them provide us with the technology and then outsource the vaccines from us. It will be much economical for them. On the other hand, the multinational companies can concentrate more on developing next generation vaccines. Through a partnership with developed countries we can learn to improve our facilities," they said.

Currently, the network secretariat will be functioning at Brazil. The members felt that there is a need for a permanent secretariat. "The network should set some time frame to achieve its goals. It should also enroll more members to make it more representative and effective," they opined.

However the members were happy over the GAVI decision to give the network an opportunity to represent in its board. "The developing countries now has an opportunity for interface with GAVI at the organizational level also," they said.