India’s Groundbreaking Leap in Pig Health: The First Swine Fever Vaccine Made at Home
In a significant stride towards safeguarding the health of pigs and wild boars across India, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has achieved a breakthrough. This Tuesday, they announced the successful handover of an innovative vaccine technology to a leading vaccine manufacturer, BioMed Pvt Ltd. This move paves the way for the commercial production of the nation’s very first homemade vaccine against the dreaded swine fever.
A Swift and Economical Solution for Swine Fever
The newly developed vaccine stands out as India’s initial attempt at a recombinant virus-based formula designed specifically to combat classical swine fever. This leap not only promises a rapid vaccination process but also ensures it’s done in a cost-effective manner.
Developed through the collaborative efforts of IIT Guwahati’s experts and their peers at Assam Agricultural University in Guwahati, this vaccine utilizes cutting-edge reverse genetic technology.
While swine fever poses no risk to human health, its impact on pig populations can be devastating due to its highly infectious nature and the substantial mortality rate it carries.
Key Highlights:
- First-ever Indian-made vaccine against classical swine fever.
- Developed by IIT Guwahati in collaboration with Assam Agricultural University.
- Utilizes a reverse genetic platform for efficient and cost-effective vaccination.
- Targets to protect pigs and wild boars across various Indian states prone to outbreaks.
This groundbreaking vaccine leverages the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as a vector to deliver the essential proteins needed to combat the swine fever virus, offering a novel immunity development method characterized by its rapid action and affordability.
The collaboration between IIT Guwahati and BioMed Pvt Ltd marks a notable milestone in India’s veterinary science field, showcasing the potential of indigenous research and development in addressing livestock health challenges.
As this vaccine progresses to the commercial production stage, it brings hope to pig farmers across India, promising a future where the threat of swine fever is significantly reduced, if not completely eradicated.