Hyderabad: In an important "Make in India" moment, scientists at a Hyderabad lab say they have developed the world's first vaccine against
the Zika Virus. They say, in fact, that they have two.

The World Health Organisation has declared Zika and its suspected link

to birth defects a global health emergency. More than 20 countries in

Latin America have reported an outbreak and a rare case of the Zika

virus being transmitted through sex has been reported in Texas, USA.

As the world searches for a vaccine and other global companies take
first steps on research, the Bharat Biotech International Limited in
Hyderabad says it has patented the Zika vaccine.

"On Zika, we are probably the first vaccine company in the world to file
a vaccine candidate patent about nine months ago," said Dr. Krishna
Ella, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech Ltd.

Using a live Zika virus imported officially, the Hyderabad company has
now developed two candidate vaccines, but taking them through animal and
human trials could be a long haul. Dr Ella said he had sought the
government's support on this and the Indian Council of Medical Research
(ICMR)has stepped forward to help.

"We have just been informed about the Zika vaccine candidate that Bharat
Biotech has. We will examine it from the scientific point of view and
see the feasibility of taking it forward. It is a good example of a Make
in India product," said Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, pediatrician and
Director General, ICMR.

Dr Ella said in a best case scenario his company can make one million
doses of the vaccine in four months. He has sought the direct
intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the
vaccine's development and delivery is fast-tracked, cutting through the
red tape of regulatory clearances, pointing out that the vaccine can
help countries such as Brazil, a fellow member of the BRICS (Brazil,
Russia, India, China and South Africa) group, and pave way for what he
called "vaccine diplomacy."

"The Prime Minister should take up this project as it helps communities
like Brazil and Colombia where we can do vaccine diplomacy. We are a
part of the BRICS group and we have to help them. We would love to help.
We want global public health to benefit," he said.

Experts have lauded Bharat Biotech's foresight in working on a vaccine
so far ahead on a neglected disease that has now taken global epidemic
proportions.
Story First Published: February 03, 2016 12:32 IST