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Hyderabad June 26 Hyderabad-based Shantha Biotechnics is developing a multivalent vaccine against rotavirus in association with the non-profit health organisation PATH.

"We have signed an MoU with Shantha Biotechnics, a licensee from US National Institute of Health (NIH) for rotavirus technology, to collaborate in developing the vaccine," Mr Rajat Goyal, Director, Advancing Rotavirus Vaccine Development Project, PATH told Business Line over phone from New Delhi.

PATH would provide "all kinds of development assistance to Shantha including financial and technical help," he said.

The development costs of the vaccine were estimated to be over $7 million. "Shantha would bear a major share of the development cost and we will chip in with the rest as and when required. The basic R&D will be handled by it," Mr Goyal said while declining to give specific figures.

PATH would also network with academic institutions to help Shantha in developing the vaccine. The aim was to develop the vaccine by 2011, he added.

"We are excited about working on the multivalent rotavirus, which has the potential to save many lives," Mr K.I. Varaprasada Reddy, Managing Director, Shantha Biotechnics, said in a statement.

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe dehydrating diarrhoea responsible for more than 5.27 lakh deaths occurring annually in children under the age of five, mostly in the developing countries.

The requirement of rotavirus is estimated to be over 1.7 million doses per annum.

More Stories on : Alliances & Joint Ventures | Pharmaceuticals | Bio-tech & Genetics

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