With an aim to launch vaccine for Influenza H1N1 A Virus (swine flu) in India, Cadila Pharmaceutical will seek the government’s nod in two days for initiating clinical trials in this regard.

Cadila Pharmaceutical Ltd (CPL) had set up a joint venture ‘CPL Biologicals Pvt Ltd’ with the US-based vaccine maker Novavax for manufacturing and developing a host of vaccines, including for swine flu, in India.

“The joint venture is going to file the application with the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) in the next two days for phase-I clinical trials for swine flu vaccine,” CPL Chairman and Managing Director, Mr I A Modi told PTI.

Modi expressed confidence that Cadila would be the first Indian pharma company to launch the swine flu vaccine in India by December. “If we get the permission of DCGI soon, then with the advanced technology available from our partner, (we) would be able to launch it in India by December this year,” Mr Modi said.

With its existing facility, Cipla can produce up to one million doses of the vaccine per month, which can be scaled up to two million doses, Mr Modi said. “Novavax has already received permission for clinical trials from the US Federal Drug Administratio n and if we get it soon, we can simultaneously start the trials,” he added. - PTI.

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