INDIA – In an important breakthrough, Cadila Pharmaceuticals, has announced that it had developed the world’s first novel three-dose rabies vaccine.
The three-dose vaccine, dubbed ‘ThRabis,’ is a recombinant nano-particle-based G protein vaccine prepared using Virus-like Particle technology, according to the company in a release, with the three doses spread out over only one week.
The new vaccine would be a game changer because all existing rabies vaccines require five injections spread over 28 days to eliminate the threat (of virus spread), according to Cadila Pharmaceuticals CMD Rajiv Modi at the vaccine’s launch ceremony.
“Animal bite victims could not complete the full course of the vaccine due to the long and complicated dosing schedule. This leaves many victims unprotected and susceptible to developing rabies, which is a fatal condition. With this new three-dose vaccine, many more lives can be saved,” he said.
All existing rabies vaccine regimens require five injections spread over 28 days to complete the full regimen.
Many animal bite victims are unable to complete the entire course of the vaccine due to the complicated dosing schedule, frequent hospital or clinic visits, and potential loss of income associated with these visits.
As a result, many victims are unprotected and at risk of contracting rabies, a fatal disease.
Every year, it is estimated that rabies kills 59,000 animal bite victims worldwide, primarily in Asia and Africa.
According to the release, over 20,000 people die in India alone, primarily because many animal bite victims do not complete the full course of the available vaccine.
According to the company’s data, nearly 15 million people in India are victims of animal bites, mostly dog bites, each year.
According to a survey, only 3 million people out of 15 million victims of animal bites visit a doctor to get a rabies vaccine.
However, 30% of victims skip the fourth dose, and nearly 40% skip the last dose, increasing the risk of contracting rabies.
The company stated that it took nearly 12 years to develop this three-dose vaccine, which was found to be safe in clinical trials. The vaccine has been approved by India’s Drugs Controller General (DCGI).
The vaccine will be introduced in 11 states, including Gujarat, in the first phase. As part of their awareness campaign in these states, company representatives would contact nearly 6,000 doctors.
The company has set the price of one vial at Rs 750 (US$10), while the cost of treatment, which includes three doses, is Rs 2,145 (US$28).
Liked this article? Sign up to receive our regular email newsletters, focused on Africa and World’s healthcare industry, directly into your inbox. SUBSCRIBE HERE