Just a sniff to prevent H1N1 infection

Pune based Serum Institute of India achieves the medical feat of innovating on the novel, painless, nasal vaccine administration mechanism

The threat of swine flu now has a pain less prevention. India’s advances in medical research got a fillip today, with India’s largest vaccine manufacturer, Serum Institute, announcing the launch of its indigenously developed intra-nasal vaccine named Nasovac™ for preventing H1N1 infections. The single dose vaccine, fitted at the top of a syringe, is just to be sniffed once in each nostril making it a painless prevention mode. 

Along with a needle prick-free benefit, Nasovac™ has a superior efficacy profile based on its administration through the respiratory route – it mimics the path followed by the virus to enter the body. The safety and efficacy of the vaccine was established through Clinical trials conducted in India for the vaccine.

Nasovac™ is economically priced to increase availability amongst the masses. The vaccine is approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for usage by any individual above 3 years of age, except pregnant women.

According to Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, Chairman, Serum Institute of India Ltd., “the philosophy at Serum Institute always has been about providing quality vaccines at affordable prices. Last year we saw the panic due to fears about the H1N1 pandemic. I am happy that Serum has done its part in making the country self-reliant in creating vaccines for preventing pandemic influenza in the future.”

According to Mr. Adar Poonawalla, Owner and Executive Director, Serum Institute of India Ltd.: “the public’s fear at the height of the pandemic last year was a challenge for India’s healthcare sector. Right from the time we started work on the vaccine, we were clear that apart from developing indigenous capability for tackling pandemics, we wanted to provide a painless prevention option for the masses. We now have capabilities, in collaboration with global healthcare agencies, to respond with affordable preventive vaccines for pandemic healthcare emergencies anywhere around the world.” 

With the outbreak of H1N1 infections in 2009, Serum Institute in consultation with World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health, Government of India started work on the H1N1 vaccine. The company is already working on an influenza vaccine under WHO guidance.

About Serum Institute
Serum Institute of India is the World’s largest DTP (Triple) and measles vaccine manufacturer. The launch of Serum’s Hepatitis-B vaccine in India acted as a catalyst to bring down the prices of the vaccine and make it affordable for the masses. The Company’s products are exported to over 130 countries worldwide. The company and its Chairman, Dr Cyrus Poonawalla were honoured with the Humanitarian Award by Sabin Vaccine Institute, USA, for providing quality vaccines at affordable prices. 

Serum is the largest bio-pharmaceutical company in India, with leadership in the vaccines segment. The company’s current R&D efforts involve research for vaccines and other recombinant products in the field of Oncology, Nephrology, etc.