The Hyderabad-based Human Biologicals Institute, a wholly owned subsidiary of national dairy development Board (NDDB), has launched Equine Rabies Immunoglobins under brand name AbhayRIG for prevention of Rabies across the country. The vaccine will help in addressing in all the three areas of category III animal bite management, according to the company release.

Open wounds are referred to as category III and a majority of dog bites fall under this category. As per WHO, management of category III is done in three steps- cleaning the wound, infiltration of RIG at the site of the bite and administration of vaccine.

RIG is available in two origins, human (HRIG) and Equine (ERIG). While HRIG has less side-effects and priced higher, ERIG is economical. Imported HRIG brands cost more than Rs 3000 per dose and the existing ERIG brand costs Rs 405 per dose, AbhayRIG is priced at Rs 350 per dose.

The vaccine market for this category is about Rs 50 crore in India and the company is planning to make the vaccine available in its clinics across the country. The company has about 2000 Abhay clinics as of today.