November 30, 2022

Indian Immunologicals reportedly first in India to step into fish vaccine development

Vaccine maker Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) has become the first in India to venture into fish vaccine development, the Deccan Herald reported.

The Hyderabad-based firm announced on November 28 a partnership with the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) in Mumbai, for the commercial development of a vaccine against common bacterial diseases in freshwater fishes.

Currently, there is no fish vaccine available in India on a commercial scale to prevent aquaculture infections.

Aquaculture in India has suffered economic losses due to infections caused by several bacterial, viral, fungal and other aetiological agents.

"...these infections are being managed by anti-infectives and other conventional measures with varying degrees of success," IIL said in a statement. "With the rising concern pertaining to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and chemical free food products both at global and domestic platforms, there is a growing need for better control measures against these infections."

CIFE will provide technology for two inactivated bacterial vaccines, one for Columnaris Disease, a serious condition affecting numerous freshwater fish species, and another for Edwardsiellosis that cause high degree of mortality. Both diseases are extremely common in freshwater fish.

Dr K. Anand Kumar, managing director of IIL, said: "IIL has introduced several innovative veterinary vaccines first to the world, like Porcine Cysticercosis vaccine, FMD+HS+BQ combination vaccine and Theileria vaccine. IIL is again the first in India to get into fish vaccine development. We are committed to introducing more and more products for the aquaculture market and help shrimp and fish growers to increase their productivity and protect fish schools from various diseases."

"IIL is planning to introduce vaccines and immunostimulants with tech transfer from various fisheries institutes under ICAR," said Dr. Priyabrata Pattnaik, deputy managing director of IIL, said. "Several fish vaccine candidates are currently being evaluated by IIL for commercialisation. The launch of such vaccines may have a positive impact for reducing indiscriminate use of chemical or antibiotic-based treatment methods…"

- Deccan Herald