August 28, 2024: Bharat Biotech has launched HILLCHOL®, a new oral vaccine designed to tackle cholera, a serious and often deadly disease. With cholera cases rising and a shortage of vaccines worldwide, the unique single strain single-dose respule oral cholera vaccine (OCV) could make a huge difference.
The OCV (BBV131), is a next-generation OCV aims to fill the gap and provide relief to communities suffering from cholera, offering new hope for controlling and eventually ending this global health challenge.
Developed under license from Hilleman Laboratories with funding from Merck, USA, and Wellcome Trust, UK, the OCV promises a significant leap forward in cholera prevention, offering a vital tool in the fight against this deadly disease.
HILLCHOL : Addressing a Critical Global Shortage
The global demand for oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) exceeds 100 million doses annually, yet the world currently faces a severe deficit of approximately 40 million doses each year due to the dominance of a single manufacturer. Bharat Biotech’s new OCV vaccine is set to bridge this gap. The company has invested in large-scale manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, which will produce up to 200 million doses of HILLCHOL® to meet this urgent need.
Dr. Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, emphasized the impact of this launch: “Vaccines provide the best intervention to prevent, limit, and control cholera outbreaks. HILLCHOL® represents a major success story of international collaboration leading to effective public health solutions. Our enhanced production capabilities will be crucial in combating cholera globally.”
Single Dose OCV “HILLCHOL” a Milestone in Public Health – Dr. Krishna Ella
The oral cholera vaccine has undergone rigorous testing in pre-clinical and clinical studies, confirming its safety, efficacy, and non-inferiority to existing OCVs. The vaccine’s innovative design, administered orally on Day 0 and Day 14, is suitable for individuals over one year old and is presented in a single-dose respule format. This unique presentation is a first for oral vaccines, enhancing accessibility and ease of use.
The introduction of this OCV aligns with the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC)’s goal to reduce cholera-related deaths by 90% by 2030. This initiative will not only improve access to cholera vaccines but also support global efforts to enhance water and sanitation infrastructure.
A Collaborative Effort
This milestone is the result of extensive international collaboration involving Hilleman Laboratories, Bharat Biotech, the University of Gothenburg, and Gotovax AB. These partnerships underscore the commitment to advancing global health equity through affordable and impactful solutions for high-risk populations.
Despite the promise of this unique production scalable OCV, it is crucial to continue emphasizing other preventive measures, such as improving sanitation and ensuring clean water supplies, to effectively combat cholera. The launch of this single-dose oral vaccine in repsule marks a significant step forward in addressing a longstanding public health challenge, offering hope for a healthier, cholera-free future.
