The Hyderabad-based Shantha Biotechnics is planning to introduce DTP+ Hep B+ Hib pentavalent vaccine by May 2006. The market size for this combination vaccine in India can be to the tune of Rs 20-25 crore. Globally, the market size will be close to US $ 50 million, Khalil Ahmed, executive director, Shantha Biotechnics told Pharmabiz.

The company is also planning to develop a single dose Hepatitis B vaccine, which will not only reduce the pain but also ensure that the subjects do not miss the doses, as it happens with the currently available vaccines.

Shantha is working on typhoid conjugate, cellular pertusis and serum free medicines for DPT. Rotavirus vaccine will also be an important part of the company’s portfolio. The company is also to develop a cholera vaccine either based on indigenously developed technology or an acquired technology, he informed.

It is developing cholera and typhoid vaccines in collaboration with International Vaccine Institute (IVI) of Korea and rotavirus vaccine in collaboration with NIH. The company also planning to develop JE vaccine, vaccine for varicella-zoster and heat stable vaccines.

According to him, heat stable vaccines, which are temperature fluctuation resistant, will avoid the dependency on cold storages. Vaccines such as Hep B have a longer shelf life, whereas it’s not the same case with other vaccines, as they are heat sensitive. The company has tied up with Cambridge Biostability, which is a University spin-off company. The company hopes to be in a position to launch heat stable vaccines in another three years.

The company also has inked a pact with Polytherics Ltd., a University of London spin-off company for technology transfer, this year. This will enable Shantha to license Polytherase, a novel Pegylation Technology to make an affordable PEG interferon product for the treatment of Hepatitis C. The partners will collaborate in an accelerated drug development programme to commercialize effective, cost-effective and affordable treatment for millions of patients of Hepatitis C. The technology will be transferred to Shantha.

He said, in the coming years, Shantha aims to bring in new vaccines and more depth in research. Efforts will be directed towards prevention of infectious diseases and launching products in the oncology segment. The company hopes to achieve a turnover of over Rs 90 crore, this financial year. It will actively seek international research collaborations.

Abhay Gupta, SBU head (Research and Development), Shantha Biotechnics, said, the company will be investing in manufacturing facilities as it does in R & D, in the coming years.