The Hindu Business Line : Panacea Biotech betting big on combination vaccines

The company plans to roll out four combination vaccines in January 2005, through its joint venture company Chiron Panacea Vaccines. The four vaccines are various combinations of DPT, Hepatitis-B and Haemophilias Influenza Type-B vaccines and have been developed by Panacea.

Chiron Panacea Vaccines, which is Panacea's join venture with UK's Chiron Panacea Vaccines, would also roll out about six more vaccines during the next two-three years.

"The other vaccines are being registered. We plan to launch three vaccines developed by Chiron and three more from the Panacea's stable," said Mr Rajesh Jain, Joint Managing Director, Panacea Biotec.

These vaccines will also be manufactured in India using stable liquid technology, which will eliminate the need for refrigeration. For this, Panacea has entered into a collaboration with the UK-based Cambridge Biostability Ltd.

"The first refrigeration-free vaccine will be launched in about two years and rest of the products will be rolled out within the subsequent six months," said Mr Jain.

Pointing out that there is huge need for such vaccines, he said that $100 million worth of vaccines are wasted each year due to poor refrigeration and another $100 million is spent annually on account of refrigeration. "For this product, we would be collaborating with various Governments and other international agencies," he added.

For its anti-anthrax vaccine, Panacea expects to complete its Phase-I and Phase-II trials by June 2005, following which the company plans to conduct Phase-III trials at a global level.

"After the completion of our Phase-I and II trials, we will request the FDA for a meeting to discuss the trial results," said Mr Jain.

Discussing the company's most powerful brands, Mr Jain said that Nimulid, Panimun Bioral and Glizid M account for 60-70 per cent of Panacea's revenues. "Our company has been focusing in niche segments and our aim is to become the No 1 brand in that category," he added.

The over-the-counter (OTC) segment is also going to be important for the company. Currently, ThankGod Pain & Itvh Relief Cream (for piles management) and Well-Beeing capsules for menstrual pain are the top sellers.

In future, it will launch Awayke (an anti-allergen) and Turn On (a sexual dysfunction medication).

Panacea Biotec will, however, not lose sight of its research and development (R&D) focus. It is setting up its fourth R&D centre in Delhi for biotech products.

Besides this, the company will also move its manufacturing base to Baddi in Himachal Pradesh.

The plant will be commissioned by middle of 2005 and will follow international manufacturing practises.

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Panacea Biotech betting big on combination vaccines