Panacea Biotec gets WHO Prequalification for Hep-B vaccine

New Delhi, Aug 2 (UNI) Panacea Biotec today said it has received the pre-qualification accreditation from the World Health Organisation for the supply of the recombinant Hepatitis-B vaccine to UN agencies.

The company is ready to combat Hepatitis-B, a deadly disease that affects the liver, after its major contribution in eradicating Polio.

''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, resulting in better sales volumes and profitability,'' Panacea Biotec JMD Rajesh Jain said.

The overall estimated market for Hepatitis-B vaccine and its combinations as per UNICEF and PAHO for the year 2007, 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 statement said.

In terms of revenues, it would amount to around 270 million dollar in 2007, going up to 390 million dollar in 2008 and 1 billion dollar in 2009.

In 2000, there were 5.7 million cases of acute Hepatitis-B infection and more than 5,21,000 died of Hepatitis-B related disease, worldwide.

The main aim of Hepatitis-B immunisation strategies is to prevent chronic Hepatitis-B virus (HBV) infection and its serious consequences, including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer.

After the WHO advised all children to receive the Hepatitis-B vaccine during 1999, 116 countries have added this vaccine to their routine immunisation programme.

In India, Hepatitis-B vaccine is still in process to be enlisted in 'essential vaccines', but there exists a huge market in the private sector, keeping in view the birth cohort of around 25 million new born every year.

At present, it is marketing its Hepatitis-B vaccine and combination vaccines through its Joint Venture Company, Chiron Panacea Vaccines Pvt Ltd having brand names - Enivac HB, Easy four (Hepatitis-B + DPT) and Easy five (Hepatitis-B + DTP + Hib).

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