Hyderabad : Biological E Ltd, one of the leading Indian Vaccine manufacturers based at Hyderabad announced the launch of its latest vaccine – Inactivated Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine which is to be marketed under the brand name “JEEV” here at Hyderabad today. Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a deadly viral disease afflicting major areas around the world and is the leading cause of AES – acute encephalitic syndrome. There were more than 8000 confirmed cases recorded in India in 2011 with over 1100 deaths. There is no specific treatment available for JE and vaccination is the most effective weapon against the disease. Inactivated vaccines are considered to have a better safety profile as compared to live vaccines. There is no other vaccine available to private doctors in India currently.

Dr. Vijay Kumar Datla, Chairman & Managing Director of Biological E. said, “With the launch of JEEV, the indigenous vaccine with excellent safety profile and proven efficacy in Indian subjects is now available to Doctors for prevention of Japanese Encephalitis in Children and Adults.“

The vaccine will be a safe and effective weapon against JE which is known for high mortality (up to 35%-40%) and high morbidity where up to 50% of all survivors end up with physical and mental disabilities after surviving the disease.

Dr T Jacob John, India’s eminent Pediatrician and Virologist presided over the Product Launch event and said, “The availability of a safe and effective vaccine against Japanese encephalitis (JE) is indeed good news for families and pediatricians in all JE endemic States. Very much like polio, JE is also a low frequency but high impact disease. When 200 children get infected with poliovirus, one gets polio; when 300 children get infected with JE virus, one gets encephalitis. Polio paralyses but JE kills and causes brain damage in those who survive. Vaccine will enable families to take responsibility to protect their children. I congratulate Biological E for launching a high quality vaccine in India”

Biological E has developed JEEV after 7 years of in house R&D effort and support from its technology partner, M/s Intercell AG of Austria. JEEV is a second generation inactivated Japanese Encephalitis vaccine based on the SA 14-14-2 strain and does not contain any Gelatin stabilizers or Thiomersal and the vaccine’s safety and efficacy of the vaccine has been established through multiple studies on Indian subjects and is licensed by the Drug Controller General of India informed Ms. Mahima Datla, Sr. Vice President (Operations), Biological E. Ltd. addressing the media.

Intercell’s vaccine against Japanese encephalitis, which formed the basis for the technology transfer to BE, is licensed by USFDA, EMA and multiple countries like Australia, Canada, and Switzerland etc. JEEV is launched as a liquid vaccine in 0.5 ml Vials, informed Mr. Jeevan Kumar, VP – Vaccine Marketing, Biological E. Ltd.

Biological E plans to sell JEEV in the private market and offer the vaccine as a safer and indigenous alternative to the government for JE campaigns. Biological E is also in the process of obtaining WHO Prequalification approval for JEEV which will enable the vaccine to be exported to global agencies.