CPL Biologicals launches Cadiflu-S, World’s first virus like particle (VLP) vaccine for seasonal influenza

 

Highlights 

·         Cadiflu-S is India’s first indigenously developed vaccine for seasonal influenza

·         First Virus Free seasonal influenza vaccine in India: a major breakthrough

·         Vaccine with least chances of allergies since the vaccine does not contain egg proteins, antibiotics or preservatives

Ahmedabad, Nov 17, 2016: CPL Biologicals Pvt. Ltd, a joint-venture biotechnology company of Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, India and Novavax Inc., USA, has become the first company in India to indigenously develop ‘Cadiflu-S’, a vaccine for Seasonal Influenza. Responding to the Government of India’s initiative of ‘Make in India’ campaign, the Ahmedabad based company launched ‘Cadiflu-S’, which is also the first Virus Like Particles (VLP) technology based Influenza vaccine in the world. 

The company has set up the vaccine facility at Dholka near Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India, with an initial investment of Rs. 100 crore. The plant has the capability of producing up to 25 million doses of vaccine every year. 

                                                                                                                  

‘Cadiflu-S’ does not contain any viruses, and is a major technological breakthrough since it completely eliminates the possibility of any infection to the vaccinated person from the vaccine. The viruses present in other available vaccines can, at times, replicate in human body thereby causing disease by the vaccine itself. Moreover, the VLP based vaccine does not contain any egg proteins, antibiotics or preservatives, and thus provides huge relief to people who are prone to allergies. 

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Rajiv Modi, Chairman and Managing Director, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd. said, “Building on the success of ‘Cadiflu-S’, we will be launching a series of vaccines, including many first-of-its kind in the world, using Novel technology platforms like VLPs and Nanoparticles. The VLP technology provides us a huge edge as it takes only 12-14 weeks to develop the new strain specific vaccine, as against 24 to 32 weeks for the development of a conventional vaccine. If there is a necessity tomorrow, we can launch other types of pandemic flu vaccines, like H7N9 vaccines at a much faster pace compared to conventional vaccines.” 

Dr. James F. Young, Chairman, Novavax Inc, said, “We have successfully completed Phase III trials at 10 centers across India to evaluate the Immunogenicity and Safety of this Seasonal Influenza Virus-Like Particle (VLP) Vaccine. ‘Cadiflu-S’ has received Drugs Controller General of India’s (DCGI) approval for launching the vaccine in India. We have also developed a strong pipeline that include Rabies 3 dose vaccine, Pancreatic Cancer vaccine, Rabies single dose vaccine, Hepatitis E vaccine, Varicella zoster virus vaccine and  Human Papilloma vaccine.”

The indigenous production of ‘Cadiflu-S’ for seasonal influenza will provide a major boost to the government’s initiative of preventing any probability of pandemic flu-like situation. The seasonal vaccine which is supposed to be administered every year due to changing strains of the virus, protects even healthy individuals, both children and adults, from the influenza which at times could lead to other highly infectious and chronic illnesses. The seasonal influenza virus affects the lungs and other areas of the respiratory tract. People with chronic conditions of Cardiac Ailments, Diabetes Mellitus, Metabolic Diseases, Renal Failure and Asthma run a high risk of developing complications. 

‘Cadiflu-S’ is developed by incorporating the gene sequences of multiple immunogenic proteins (HA, NA and M1 antigens) o f Influenza virus to produce a complex envelope Virus Like Particle vaccine. Each dose of the recombinant baculovirus-based vaccine, Cadiflu-S (0.5 ml) contains three strains of flu viruses namely, A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus, A/HongKong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus, B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus. World Health Organisation (WHO) in Feb 2016 recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2016-2017 northern hemisphere influenza season.  The current market for Seasonal Influenza vaccine in India is estimated at 2 – 2.5 million dosages per year and is rapidly growing.

CPL Biologicals has obtained all the necessary approvals from the concerned regulatory authorities for commercialisation of ‘Cadiflu-S’ vaccine. Apart from the Indian markets, the company will also be looking to cater to the Middle East and South East Asian markets in coming years.

About CPL Biologicals Pvt. Ltd 

Based in Ahmedabad, India, CPL Biologicals Pvt. Ltd. is an independent joint-venture biotechnology company established in 2009 by Novavax Inc., USA and Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited, one of India’s largest privately held pharmaceutical companies. The company develops prophylactic vaccines based on Novavax Inc’s Virus Like Particles (VLPs), recombinant nanoparticles and adjuvant technologies, which are groundbreaking innovations that improve global health through safe and effective vaccines. CPL Biologicals conducts end-to-end research, development and manufacturing based on these technologies in India. 

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​St. Martha’s to give 50% discount for Hepatitis A, B tests

Bangalore July 25th, 2016: Over 4000 people die each day from the Hepatitis virus despite there being life-saving medication! From the 28th of July till 30th of the month, in honor of World Hepatitis Day, St Martha’s Hospital will be offering the public a 50% discount on the tests for Hepatitis A and B. The same will also be offered for a liver function test and the vaccination for Hepatitis B. Registration as well as consultation for this event will be free of cost. 

The Hepatitis virus has been the bane of urban India for a while now. With the virus being found in random water samples across the country, the population’s susceptibility to it is at an all-time high. In fact, 95% of the public lives with the Hepatitis virus and is unaware of it. St Martha’s Hospital recognizes this concern and on this World Hepatitis Day on the 28th of July will be offering free consultation and discounts on tests and vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B.

Speaking on this initiative, Sr.Teresa Mandakath, Sister Superior of St Martha’s Hospital says, “Awareness on the virus is still rather low. The fact that people can carry the virus around and not know it, or that Hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV. We have always been committed to providing the best of healthcare and have never wanted price to be a deterring factor. By offering these discounts on consultations and treatment, we hope that we are able to create awareness & help many people. 

St Martha’s initiative will take place from 28t, 29th and 30th July 2016 at the OPD in Room 113. The hospital may be contacted on 080-40128241/287

​About St. Martha’s Hospital

St. Martha’s Hospital on Nrupathunga Road was founded in 1886 by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd Order. What began with only 50 beds has today grown into a multi-specialty hospital with over 550 beds. Offering health care across all major specialities such as Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Urology, Cardiology, Neurosurgery and more, St. Martha’s Hospital has never lost sight of the fact that the underprivileged too need medical care. The hospital offers free medical care to deserving patients when needed.​

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KENT RO adds another revolutionary product line launches Bed Cleaners Pure Cleaning, Healthy Living!

May 19 2016,  12.26 PM IST || Pocket News Alert

When Was the Last Time You Cleaned Your Mattress? A clean bed means more than washing your bed sheets and pillow covers. If you haven't thought about cleaning your mattress lately, then think about it. It’s time we step up to the threats of indoor air pollution and keep our bedroom clean.

KENT RO Systems Ltd., one of the renowned healthcare brands in India, expands its product line with the launch of revolutionary HEPA based KENT Bed Cleaners.  Equipped with Cyclonic technology and with UV disinfectant technology, it is specially designed to effectively clean flat surfaces and eliminate Bacteria, Virus and dust mites, thus ensuring a clean and healthy environment for you and your family.

The idea behind coming up this another innovation is the way we clean our homes, which is a major problem. Brushing off the bed sheet and pillows or tossing them in the air leads to air pollution. Your bed might look clean, but Bacteria, Viruses and Dust Mites sharply infiltrate the room and get reabsorbed in beds, pillows, mattress and blankets. Use of traditional vacuum cleaners can be disadvantageous. Installing dust bag every time is a tedious task, moreover these bag release some dust bag in the air which gets reabsorbed in the room. The traditional vacumm cleaner are totally ineffective against Bacteria, Virus and dust mites. So, KENT RO has come up with this another breakthrough technology which gives you access to healthy living.

Commenting on mounting the innovative product line, Dr. Mahesh Gupta, Chairman, KENT RO Systems Ltd. said, "At KENT, we have always thought of coming up with great technologies and innovative products. Our R&D team has spent a lot of time in developing, and testing these new products, and we are happy to be introducing them to our customers.”

“Nowadays, people are very attentive to dirt. High traffic areas and stains are often where our focus is directed. However, they often neglect what is unseen. Mattresses require regular cleaning, but people often forget about them. And, simple vacuuming will not take care of these tiny pests. It requires a technology or solvents to properly clean and sanitize a mattress.” he added.

KENT Bed Cleaners uses a process that effectively destroys dust mites, bacteria, spores, allergens, dust, and decaying skill cells. It is an ideal tool for flat surfaces such as cleaning bed sheets, mattress, pillow and pillow cover, quilts, blankets, couches, sofa seats etc. It uses a twin mechanism of agitator brush & vacuum suction, and ultraviolet disinfection technique to give you a spot less, dust and germ free environment.

Process and technologies used: 

Cyclonic Technology is used to scoop up dust and debris. The Dust from air (Bacteria, Dust Mites and Debris) is sucked at high speed creating a fast-spinning vortex; it uses centrifugal force to separate dust and particles from air flowing inside, and collects them in detachable cylindrical vessel or bin. Then the next step in the process is UV disinfectant light which uses germicidal UV light-electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light to disinfect bed and upholstery. Germicidal UV is mutagenic to bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. It breaks molecular bonds within micro organismal DNA, and kills or neutralizes the organisms. Microorganisms including Dust Mites, Bacteria and Virus have very low defense against UV light and cannot survive prolonged exposure to it.

Price: MRP 8000 INR

Availability: All leading retail outlets and Online sites

Features to Highlight

• UV light disinfection to kill Bacteria, Virus, dust mites and molds from bed and upholstery.

• Advance Cyclonic Technology (without filtration bags) for dust collection and HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arrestor) based discharge filter.

• High efficiency motor with strong suction force for efficient cleaning.

• Highly efficient HEPA filter reduces air pollution due to lower dust and particulate matter (PM) discharge.

• Light weight & Easy to operate.

• Energy efficient & environmental friendly.

• Compact and contemporary design

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