The Hyderabad-based Shantha Biotechnics, recently acquired by the Sanofi-Pasteur - the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group, has bagged US$ 340 million worth contract from the United Nations Agency to supply its pentavalent vaccine Shan5 for the period 2010-2012.

Shan5 is a combination vaccine of diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, haemophilus influenza B, and hepatitis B. The new contract comes as a booster to the Sanofi Pasteur's public health mission and strategy, as the company acquired Shantha to develop as a platform to address the need for high-quality affordable vaccination in international markets, according to an announcement by the company.

Sanofi Pasteur, through its existing and new contracts, now provides a full range of vaccines used within the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Speaking on the new development, Wayne Pisano, president and chief executive officer, Sanofi Pasteur, commented, "These awarded contracts underline Shantha Biotechnics' high expertise and the quality of their state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. While Shantha Biotechnics is joining the sanofi-aventis Group, those contracts perfectly illustrate our ambition to provide the best vaccines at affordable prices to many people around the world."

Shantha which is active in developing, manufacturing and marketing of several important vaccines, was acquired by Sanofi Pasteur recently. The control of Shantha has been taken over by the sanofi from August 31, 2009 through the acquisition of Mérieux Alliance's French subsidiary ShanH, which owns a majority stake in Shantha.

Shantha is working with supranational organizations to supply major international markets including Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. The Shanvac-B, Shantetra (combination vaccine of diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and hepatitis B), Shan5 and ShanT (tetanus toxoid vaccine) has received prequalification certificate from WHO for supplying to UN agencies globally.