The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of the Serum Institute of India, the largest vaccine producer globally, announced the company’s strategic shift towards manufacturing vaccines for malaria and dengue. This pivot comes as the demand for COVID-19 vaccines declines, allowing the repurposing of the COVID-19 vaccine production lines for the development of these new immunizations.
In a recent interview, Poonawalla revealed that by converting their COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing facilities, the Institute anticipates a significant increase in their output, projecting an additional 2.5 billion doses to their production capabilities. The Serum Institute, renowned for producing the Covishield vaccine (AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine) and Novavax’s protein-based shots in India, had previously expanded its manufacturing capacity with a $2 billion investment amidst the pandemic peak.
With an annual distribution of approximately 1.5 billion doses across various vaccines, the company now eyes a potential to escalate its total production to around 4 billion doses. Poonawalla emphasized the importance of this expansion not only for addressing current health challenges but also for ensuring rapid response capabilities in case of future pandemics, envisioning the possibility of immunizing the entire Indian population within three to four months if necessary.
The Serum Institute is currently in dialogue with several countries and governments, exploring collaborations to leverage these expanded facilities for future health crises, although specific partnerships remain under discussion.
Regarding the new vaccines, Poonawalla disclosed that the Institute has prepared to manufacture 100 million doses of a malaria vaccine, with an initial production of 25 million doses already in place, anticipating a launch in the upcoming months. This effort addresses the critical need for interventions in malaria, a disease that continues to claim over half a million lives annually, predominantly affecting young children in sub-Saharan Africa.
Moreover, the Serum Institute has ventured into developing a single-dose dengue vaccine, building upon research from the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Currently undergoing early to mid-stage trials in India, the company aims to complete its late-stage trials within the next three years. This initiative is particularly timely, considering the current dengue outbreaks in various parts of the world, including a significant one in Brazil.
While other entities like Takeda Pharmaceutical and Indian Immunologicals are also in the race to develop dengue vaccines, the Serum Institute’s approach marks a significant move towards diversifying its vaccine portfolio and strengthening global health security against infectious diseases.