CPL Biologicals launches Cadiflu-S: a vaccine for flu

New Delhi : CPL Biologicals, a joint-venture biotechnology company of Cadila Pharmaceuticals and US-based Novavax Inc, has indigenously developed a vaccine for seasonal influenza.

The Ahmedabad-based company has launched Cadiflu-S, which is also the first Virus Like Particles (VLP) technology based influenza vaccine in the world.

The company claimed that it is the first entity in the country to develop a vaccine for seasonal influenza.

"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 nano particles," Cadila Pharmaceuticals Chairman and MD Rajiv Modi said in a statement.

The company has set up the vaccine facility at Dholka near Ahmedabad in Gujarat with an initial investment of Rs 100 crore.

The plant has the capacity 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 company said.

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, it added.

CPL Biologicals has obtained all the necessary approvals from the concerned regulatory authorities for commercialisation of Cadiflu-S vaccine.

Apart from the domestic market, the company will also be looking to cater to the Middle East and South East Asian markets in coming years, the drug maker said.