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Hillchol utilises a single, genetically engineered inactivated strain that significantly reduces production costs
HILLEMAN Laboratories and Indian drugmaker Bharat Biotech have announced the launch of oral cholera vaccine Hillchol, which both parties deem a “significant global public health milestone”.
Singapore-based Hilleman is a joint venture between US drugmaker MSD and British charitable foundation Wellcome Trust.
It is currently developing a portfolio of vaccines which the company expects to benefit up to 500 million people in low- and middle-income countries over the next five years.
In a joint statement on Tuesday (Aug 27), Hilleman and Bharat Biotech said that the launch of Hillchol follows the completion of the vaccine’s phase-three clinical trials and approval for licensure by Bharat Biotech in India.
Hilleman had developed the vaccine through phase-two clinical research before transferring it to Bharat Biotech – which intends to pursue pre-qualification for Hillchol’s licensure from the World Health Organization – for global distribution.
Unlike other cholera vaccines which contain more than one strain, Hillchol utilises a single, genetically engineered inactivated Hikojima strain delivered orally.
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This significantly reduces production costs, Hilleman and Bharat Biotech said, adding that they will expand access to the vaccine at a time when cholera outbreaks are becoming more frequent.
The vaccine can prevent infection against two of the main cholera serotypes, Ogawa and Inaba. It is suitable for patients from ages one and over, with two doses given 14 days apart.
“This new vaccine is a promising step towards increasing the global supply and will provide much-needed protection to vulnerable populations in India, and hopefully subsequently worldwide,” said Wellcome’s director of infectious disease, Alex Pym.
The launch of Hillchol comes after Hilleman in 2023 opened a S$27 million large-scale manufacturing facility in Singapore.
Located at Depot Road, the 30,000-square-foot facility called Aces focuses on early clinical development of vaccines during normal time. It works in tandem with Hilleman’s research and development laboratory in Biopolis to provide biopharmaceutical products, from concept to manufacturing.
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