Tag: Dr. K. Anand Kumar

Health, News

IIL Produces Covaxin Drug Substance In Record Time

Aug 14, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #BIRAC, #DBT and Chairperson, #Dr Renu Swarup, #Dr. K. Anand Kumar, #IIL, #MD, #secretary

Hyderabad– In order to augment the Covid 19 vaccine production capacity in our country so that a significant percentage of the population can get vaccinated at the earliest, the Central Government requested that Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) and Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) join hands in Apr 2021. IIL in a short period of time has performed several activities including signing of 4 agreements with BBIL, repurposing its manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, procurement of key raw materials and consumables, procurement of key equipment for the process, technology transfer, trials at R&D scale, training etc. These activities were all done at breakneck speed and production at commenced in July 2021. The batches so produced at IIL’s manufacturing facility have been tested at BBIL and IIL and meets the quality specifications for the drug substance. The yields are more than expected.

In a simple handing over function, Dr. K. Anand Kumar, MD, IIL handed over the first lot of Covaxin Drug Substance to Dr Krishna Ella, CMD, Bharat Biotech on the 13th of August 2021.

Speaking on this occasion, Dr K Anand Kumar, MD, IIL said that “This is TEAM India at work. It could not have been possible without the coming together of several stake holders to achieve a common goal. Our capable and competent team worked tirelessly round the clock to ensure that the committed timelines and product quality are met. It is a proud moment for IIL to have played a vital role in supporting our Nation’s interest during this unprecedented time. This would have not been possible without the constant support provided by Niti-Aayog, BIRAC, DBT, Mission Covid Suraksha Team, Central and State drug control authorities”.

Speaking on this achievement Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT and Chairperson, BIRAC said, ‘’The government has worked relentlessly to provide all possible support for ramping up Covaxin production in the country and speed up Covaxin inoculation drive. The loan license agreement by CDSCO for Indian Immunologicals Ltd to produce Covaxin Drug Substance is a major milestone, achieved in a very short span of time. The DBT-BIRAC support under Mission Covid Suraksha aims to meet the Covid-19 vaccine requirement of our country. I congratulate the team for the efforts put in for this achievement”.

“IIL is also working on another COVID -19 vaccine and the animal trials are underway currently and is expected to come out by next year for human vaccination,” said Dr K Anand Kumar, MD, IIL.

Under Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 Mission COVID Suraksha was announced by the Government of India, to accelerate the development and production of Indigenous COVID Vaccines. This is being implemented by Department of Biotechnology. The Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), Hyderabad has been sanctioned grant of Rs. 60 crore towards enhancing production capabilities

Health, News

Indian Immunologicals administers 1 Lac FREE dosages of Anti-rabies vaccine on World Zoonosis Day 2021

Jul 7, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Dr. K. Anand Kumar, #Indian Immunologicals Limited, #Managing Director, #Swachh Bharat

Hyderabad: Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), a leading vaccine manufacturer, today organized a nationwide free vaccination camp against zoonotic diseases. IIL is a “One Health” company producing world class human and animal health vaccines including vaccines for various zoonotic diseases. The 6th of July, every year is observed as “World Zoonosis Day” and many Veterinary dispensaries, NGOs and Veterinarians across the country conduct Rabies awareness camps with the help of IIL. With its commitment towards ‘One Health’ and to create awareness on many Zoonotic diseases, IIL conducted FREE vaccination camps to administer more than one lakh doses of RAKSHARAB (anti-rabies vaccine produced by IIL) in as many as 100 centres across the country through veterinary dispensaries, NGOs etc. IIL takes pride in offering this compassionate service to the society every year.

Diseases that transmit from animals to human beings are called Zoonotic diseases. 70% of all emerging diseases such as Rabies, Swine Flu, Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, Porcine Cysticercosis, Nipah, Zika, etc. that affect humans are zoonotic in nature. In India, occurrence of Rabies is prevalent and accounts for more than 90% of all zoonotic cases reported in the country. India accounts for a significant number of rabies deaths reported worldwide. The economic cost of dog mediated rabies has been estimated to be US$ 8.6 billion. The high incidence of rabies in India is due to large wandering dog population in India. There are several reasons for the high incidence including poor vaccination. Prophylaxis through vaccination is the most cost-effective intervention to reduce incidence of disease. Several countries have been able to reduce the number of rabies related human deaths through vaccination of dogs. Awareness, accurate diagnosis, improvement in sanitary conditions, prophylactic vaccination are all measures that need to be taken to restrain/eradicate spread.

Speaking on the occasion of Zoonosis Day, Dr. K. Anand Kumar, Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals Limited said, “It is the commitment of IIL as a truly One Health company to play a significant role in providing cost effective tools for the control of various zoonotic diseases in the country including the dreaded Rabies. Apart from its flagship “Anti-Rabies vaccine”, IIL has a range of vaccines for prevention of such Zoonotic diseases such as Brucellosis, Leptospirosis etc and will be rolling out human vaccines against Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika etc. The new addition in its range is the “Covid 19” vaccine which is expected to start its ­­human trials soon.”

Indian Immunologicals Limited (a subsidiary company of National Dairy Development Board) is leading biologicals manufacturer. Through research the company has delivered affordable vaccines for the consumers in India. IIL continues to be a leading manufacturer of animal rabies vaccine (Raksharab) and human rabies vaccine (Abhayrab) in the country. IIL’s CYSVAX is the world’s first vaccine for Porcine Cysticercosis in Pigs. Cysticercosis is a very important zoonotic disease and it is understood that it is a prime cause of epilepsy in humans. Vaccinating Pigs against Porcine Cysticercosis can help significantly reduce the incidence of epilepsy in humans.

IIL wishes to spread the message that preventive vaccination is a proven and cost-effective means to minimize incidence of zoonotic diseases. Effective implementation of “Swachh Bharat” programme and preventive vaccination would vastly improve the health status of the country