Panacea Biotec gets WHO nod to supply Hepatitis-B vaccines

Mumbai, Aug 2 (UNI) Panacea Biotec has received pre-qualification certification from the World Health Organisation for supply of Hepatitis-B vaccine to United Nation agencies.

The overall estimated market for Hepatitis-B vaccine and its combinations is around 158 million doses which is estimated to go up to 185 million doses in 2008 and 888 million doses in 2009, a Company press release here today said.

In 2000, there were 5.7 million cases of acute Hepatitis-B infection and over 521,000 deaths worldwide, the release said adding that Hepatitis-B vaccine has been added in their immunization programme by 116 countries.

In India, Hepatitis-B vaccine is in the process of being listed in the list of ''essential vaccines''.

Panacea Biotec is marketing its Hepatitis-B vaccine and combination vaccines through its joint venture company, Chiron Panacea Vaccines.

''There has been constant growth in Panacea Biotec revenue due to strong vaccine sales and our inclusion in the list of pre-qualified suppliers of WHO will significantly enhance our presence in this segment,'' Company joint managing director Rajesh Jain said in the release.

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