Zydus Cadila Receives Approval From Drug Controller General Of India

Zydus Cadila has received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to conduct clinical trials for the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine. The egg based, inactivated vaccine based on conventional technology has been developed by the group’s experts at its vaccine technology centre in Ahmedabad.

The company said that with the completion of trials and fast track approvals, the H1N1 vaccine is expected to hit the markets by April 2010.

Pankaj Patel, chairman and managing director of Zydus Cadila, said: “India’s readiness with a vaccine that is safe and effective in Indian conditions is critical as we go all out to create an H1N1 free zone. Our researchers and vaccine experts have worked round-the-clock to strengthen our armoury in this fight against the H1N1 virus. With the vaccine in the market soon, we should be able to prevent further loss of lives to this infectious disease.”

Zydus Cadila had earlier received the WHO prequalification accreditation for its rabies vaccine, Lyssavac N – the Purified Duck Embryo Rabies Vaccine (PDEV). The group has also recently set up a Vaccine Technology Centre near its manufacturing facility at Moraiya, Ahmedabad.