Senior pharmaceutical and biotechnology leaders of India declared their wholehearted support for the country's vision of developing a preventive HIV/AIDS vaccine at a workshop in Delhi. The business leaders discussed the importance of private sector participation in fighting the menace as HIV/AIDS is draining economies of vital resources and is affecting the private sector on micro and macro levels.

The workshop on Preventive Health Technologies with special focus on Preventive AIDS Vaccine was organised by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI). Senior policymakers and group of industry representatives attended the meeting. This included representation from Novartis, Panacea Biotech, BD Biosciences, Serum Institute of India, Chembiotek Research International, and Rallis India. The objective of the workshop was to highlight market opportunities for the Indian Industry and to address some of the challenges that have constrained companies from participating more aggressively.

According to Dr. Seth Berkley, president and CEO, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, the success and phenomenal growth of Indian companies in pharmaceutical R&D over the last few years proves their potential capabilities in the field. "Indian vaccine industry currently positioned as the 3rd largest supplier of vaccine in the world along with its large pool of experts and highly skilled medical scientist supported by world-class research facility has the unique opportunity to become the vaccine hub of the world. The R&D opportunities that Indian pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies can consider are immense."

The Indian industry is in a better position to explore the scope for its own involvement in the years to come, feels the executive director of Serum Institute of India Dr. S V Kapre. However, he added, to formulate measures to increase the scale the sector's engagement area, it is imperative to understand and address the challenges it faces. He said, "Over the years the Indian industry has been able to reach a stage where it has become a global force. This allows it to get involved in newer challenges."

Ranjit Shahani, VC and managing director, Novartis India stressed on the need for industry and government to step up investment in healthcare in India including R&D and delivery mechanisms. He said, "Public Private Partnership is one of the potential strategies to address the challenges. Clearly, the successful amalgamation of the skills of the private industry and government bodies is also required in the research and development of AIDS preventive technologies."

Deliberations at the workshop focused on identifying factors/mechanisms aimed at creating a more conducive policy regime, explore areas of potential interest for Indian industry to undertake R&D efforts in this area and also explore innovative models of partnership.

The session ended with the speech of Kapil Sibal, union minister of state for science & technology and ocean development, setting the vision for the future. He said, "A smooth regulatory regime is essential for our private sector to develop and manufacture effective, accessible vaccines. Also the importance of this kind of advocacy cannot be overstated. Business leaders have a unique opportunity to be strong and visible advocates for greater action and partnership with other sectors. We hope this beacon of leadership will inspire all businesses, large and small, around the world to push for a vaccine. Care for those suffering is an important human obligation; other forms of prevention can limit the damage but; only a vaccine can, one day, rid the world of AIDS."

India is developing preventive HIV/AIDS vaccines under the aegis of the vaccine development partnership between ministry of health and family welfare, Government of India, Indian Council of Medical Research and International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. The first phase I trial of a possible vaccine is planned to take place at the National AIDS Research Institute, Pune in 2005. The vaccine is designed to counter the strain of HIV-1 subtype C, which is prevalent in India.