In a significant development for India's livestock sector, the Pune-based Institute of Veterinary Biological Products (IVBP) is set to become the country's first state-run facility to produce the critical Goat Pox vaccine. Operating under the Maharashtra Department of Animal Husbandry, IVBP will initially manufacture approximately 1.15 crore doses of this vital vaccine, which is essential for controlling a highly contagious disease affecting goats and sheep.
A Major Step in Animal Disease Control
The Goat Pox vaccine addresses a serious viral disease caused by the Capripox virus genus, which is endemic across India, Southwest Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of Africa. This disease can lead to devastating consequences for livestock farmers, with morbidity rates reaching up to 100% and mortality rates soaring to 80-100% in young animals. The economic impact on small ruminant farmers has been substantial, making this vaccine development particularly crucial.
Government Facility Breakthrough
Dr Y A Pathan, Joint Commissioner of Animal Husbandry and Dairying at IVBP, confirmed that the institute is expecting to receive the production license soon from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). This marks a significant achievement as previously, goat pox vaccines were primarily available through private sector companies like Hester Biosciences in Gujarat and Indian Immunologicals Limited in Hyderabad.
The live attenuated vaccine is based on Vero cell technology and was originally developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR-IVRI) in Mukteshwar. The technology transfer to IVBP occurred through a non-exclusive license agreement signed on January 20, 2023, via Agrinnovate India Ltd, the commercial arm of ICAR.
Production Process and Quality Assurance
The vaccine production involves propagating the attenuated seed virus in Vero cell lines, which are monkey kidney-derived cell cultures ideal for viral replication. The comprehensive process includes preparation and maintenance of Vero cells, inoculation with seed virus, monitoring viral kinetics, harvesting, clarification, formulation, and lyophilization (freeze-drying) for enhanced stability and storage.
Dr Pathan explained that ICAR-IVRI provides five vials of seed virus, detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and training for up to three IVBP staff members at their facility for approximately ten days. On-site technical support from IVRI scientists ensures smooth implementation of the production process.
Rigorous Quality Control Measures
Before commercial release, three consecutive batches must pass all quality control tests. The protocols include thorough assessments of safety, sterility, and potency, with potential modifications based on field data. According to Dr Pathan, the vaccine has been proven safe for goats and provides long-term immunity against Goat Pox, offering significant protection for India's livestock population.
IVBP's Broader Vaccine Production Role
Established in 1960, IVBP stands as the only institute in Maharashtra producing vaccines for domestic animals and birds. The facility manufactures various bacterial and viral vaccines, diagnostic antigens, and reagents, addressing the vaccine needs of livestock farmers through government veterinary dispensaries across the state.
Maharashtra has an estimated population of 1.28 crore sheep and goats, making this vaccine production particularly relevant for the state's agricultural economy. The technology transfer includes comprehensive know-how, seed virus, and all necessary biological materials for commercial production.
Expanding Vaccine Portfolio
In addition to the Goat Pox vaccine, IVBP has also been granted a test license to produce Lumpi-ProVac, an indigenously developed vaccine for Lumpy Skin Disease in cattle. This vaccine shares technological similarities with the Goat Pox vaccine, and a Memorandum of Understanding for its production was signed on December 29, 2022, in Nagpur, emphasizing large-scale production to meet India's growing livestock health needs.
The institute's expansion into these critical vaccine productions represents a significant advancement in India's self-reliance in veterinary pharmaceuticals and demonstrates the government's commitment to strengthening animal health infrastructure across the country.
