Oral Cholera Vaccine Launched by Bharat Biotech, To be Manufactured in Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad

New Delhi: Bharat Biotech International Ltd on Tuesday launched Hillchol, a novel single-strain oral cholera vaccine. The vaccine, a single dose respule, is administered orally on day 0 and 14 and is suitable for individuals older than one year.

As per a press release from Bharat Biotech, Hillchol (BBV131) was developed by Bharat Biotech under licence from Hilleman Laboratories (funded by Merck USA and Wellcome Trust) to combat Cholera.

Global demand for Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCVs) exceeds 100 million doses annually. To meet the demand, BBIL has established large-scale manufacturing units in Bhubaneswar and Hyderabad. As per the release, these two facilities have the capacity to produce up to 200 million doses of Hillchol.

Successful clinical trial in the Phase 3 study of the vaccine confirmed its safety, immunogenicity and non-inferiority to existing OCVs. With it, the vaccine was found fit for public health use.