Transgene Biotek makes vaccine for meningitis

Hyderabad: A development project for a type of meningitis vaccine of Transgene Biotek Ltd here has been cleared by the Institutional Ethical Committee in the US on the completion of Phase III trials in Africa.

The vaccine has been developed in collaboration with JN International Medical Corporation of the US. The product launch was delayed due to differences with the US partner on certain terms of collaboration agreement.

However the differences with JN International have now been cleared.

Meningococcal infection causes high mortality and morbidity. It is endemic in several countries in Africa, posing threat of epidemics in those countries. The product holds great promise in those countries.

Transgene Biotek is making efforts to expedite the commercial launch of this vaccine. It has already short-listed a few companies within and outside India for contract manufacturing of the vaccine.

The company gains by not sharing the revenues or profits generated out of the sales of the vaccine, unlike the earlier terms of agreement having to share those equally with JN International, the company informed the stock exchanges.