Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for the clinical development of India’s first codon de-optimised live attenuated Zika vaccine.
Zika virus, primarily transmitted through Aedes mosquitoes, can also spread via sexual contact, blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and from mother to fetus during pregnancy. While the disease is generally mild and does not require specific treatment, it poses significant risks during pregnancy. Zika infection during this period can lead to serious conditions such as microcephaly, congenital malformations, preterm birth, and miscarriage. In rare cases, Zika infection can result in Guillain-Barré syndrome, a severe neurological disorder.
India has reported several cases of Zika in recent years. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as of 22nd July 2024, 537 Zika cases have been recorded across various states.
Zika, like other emerging infectious diseases, poses a potential global threat. With its ability to spread efficiently between humans, it holds the potential to trigger epidemics or pandemics. Currently, no vaccine exists to prevent Zika infection.
In collaboration with Griffith University, Australia, IIL has developed a codon de-optimised live attenuated Zika vaccine. The vaccine has undergone extensive pre-clinical evaluations and received approval from Indian regulators to produce GMP-grade materials for clinical trials.
Under the MoA, ICMR will fund the Phase I clinical trials, covering all costs associated with the trial’s conduct, investigations, and monitoring. These trials will be carried out at ICMR’s network of sites across India.
Dr K Anand Kumar, Managing Director of IIL, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "It is a great moment for IIL to partner with ICMR to develop a Zika vaccine. IIL has played an important role in making India self-sufficient in vaccine production. Our focus on novel vaccine platforms, such as codon de-optimised viral vaccines, is beginning to yield results. It is essential to protect our population from emerging diseases by developing safe and affordable vaccines."
Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General of ICMR, emphasised the significance of this development, saying, “ICMR’s Phase I trial network, established last year, allows Indian innovators to conduct first-in-human safety studies for cutting-edge medical technologies, including vaccines. With four fully operational sites—ACTREC Mumbai, KEM Hospital Mumbai, SRM Chennai, and PGIMER Chandigarh—Indian researchers no longer need to rely on overseas facilities for Phase I trials. This marks a key step towards achieving the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat."
Dr Priyabrata Pattnaik, Deputy Managing Director of IIL, added, “We have been at the forefront of developing vaccines for emerging viral diseases. In addition to Zika, we are currently working on vaccines for Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), Chikungunya, and a SARS-CoV-2 intranasal booster vaccine.”
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