New Delhi: Hilleman Laboratories on Wednesday collaborated with Bharat Biotech International Ltd. for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of its next-generation Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCVs) ‘Hillchol’.

Hillchol was designed at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and subsequently developed by Hilleman Labs including demonstration of safety and immunogenicity in an age de-escalating Phase I/II clinical trial conducted in Bangladesh with the assistance of icddr, b and Incepta Vaccines Ltd.

This collaboration will strengthen the ability of both the organizations towards the prevention of Cholera through the rapid and cost-effective deployment of vaccine doses in low and middle-income countries.

While speaking about the partnership, Dr. Davinder Gill, CEO, Hilleman Laboratories said, "Vaccines play a critical role in improving healthcare outcomes globally. We hope this collaboration will provide an innovative vaccine solution which is both affordable and accessible".

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by 'Vibrio Cholerae' and has been responsible for seven pandemics until today. Globally, Cholera accounts for approx 2.8 million cases and an estimated 95,000 deaths annually. In India, about 30% of the population i.e., 375 million people remain at risk. WHO has recommended OCVs and an element of its "EndCholera" initiative for the prevention and control of Cholera.

"Our capacity to deliver 50 million doses per year and the addition of a WHO Pre-qualification of Hillchol in the future, will not only solve the demand uncertainty but aid in affordability thereby resulting in the wider use of such a vital oral Cholera vaccine worldwide," said Chairman & MD of Bharat Biotech, Dr. Krishna Ella.