Zydus joins WHO to develop MAb cocktail for rabies

Ahmedabad, Aug 12 (UNI) Zydus Cadila has entered into an agreement with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to develop a cocktail for rabies, through monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), the next-generation biologicals.

Describing the initiative as an important mission, Company Chairman and Managing Director Pankaj R Patel said ''The agreement is a broad-based one which includes evaluation and provides a possible stepping-stone for the development and commercialisation of the cocktail, to be used as an adjuvant therapy.'' Zydus currently manufactures and markets rabies vaccines - VaxiRab and Lyssavac N. The group has also developed a new cell culture vaccine, which will be used for both intramuscular and intradermal vaccination, he said.

The World Health Organisation will be providing monoclonal antibodies capable of neutralizing rabies virus and genetic sequences thereof, for evaluation at the Zydus Research Centre.

Rabies monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are expected to be an innovative therapy and can emerge as a potent alternative. While the rabies vaccine induces active immunity, the Rabies monoclonal antibodies can be safely administered with the vaccine to provide immediate passive neutralising activity, he said.

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