CDSCO Approves India's First Vaccine for Lumpy Skin Disease in Cattle and Buffalo
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Synopsis
The CDSCO has granted approval for Biolumpivaxin, the first vaccine in India targeting lumpy skin disease in cattle and buffaloes. Developed by Biovet, this innovative vaccine ensures high safety and efficacy, marking a significant step towards self-reliance in veterinary healthcare.
Key Takeaways
- First vaccine for lumpy skin disease in India.
- Developed by Biovet using indigenous technology.
- DIVA marker vaccine allows differentiation between vaccinated and infected animals.
- Production capacity of 500 million doses annually.
- Significant impact on disease control in livestock.
New Delhi, Feb 10 (NationPress) The Central Drug Standards Control Organization (CDSCO) has officially licensed Biolumpivaxin, marking the introduction of the country's first-ever vaccine against lumpy skin disease (LSD) affecting dairy cattle and buffaloes, as announced by the Bharat Biotech group company, Biovet.
This innovative indigenous live-attenuated marker vaccine was created using the LSD virus/Ranchi/2019 vaccine strain sourced from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE) based in Hisar.
The technology behind the vaccine was commercialized to at least four manufacturers, including Biovet located in Bengaluru, in 2022.
“Biolumpivaxin is India's first LSD vaccine. It is also recognized as the world's safest and inaugural Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) marker vaccine,” stated Biovet, a pioneering animal health vaccine producer situated in Mallur, Karnataka.
Slated for imminent release, the vaccine boasts an excellent safety and efficacy profile, enabling serological differentiation between naturally infected and vaccinated animals through the DIVA methodology. The vaccine's quality, safety, and efficacy have been rigorously evaluated at ICAR-NRCE and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), ensuring compliance with the highest global standards.
“This DIVA marker vaccine is revolutionizing veterinary medicine by enhancing disease surveillance and eradication initiatives. Epidemiologists and field personnel can now easily identify if an animal received Biolumpivaxin or was previously infected with LSD,” said Dr. Krishna Ella, Founder of Biovet, in the announcement.
“The CDSCO licensure for this vaccine represents a pivotal advancement towards India's self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in veterinary healthcare, reducing reliance on imported vaccines. As the country aspires for a disease-free livestock population, this groundbreaking vaccine will be vital in maintaining the sustainability of the dairy sector,” Dr. Ella further commented.
Biovet confirmed that “Biolumpivaxin will be available commercially very soon. The Biovet facility in Mallur has the capacity to produce up to 500 million doses of Biolumpivaxin annually.”
Lumpy skin disease is a transboundary animal ailment that has become a major concern in India due to its detrimental effects on cattle health and the dairy industry. The disease manifests through the emergence of skin nodules all over the body, fever, swollen lymph nodes, reduced milk production, and mobility issues.
The spread of the LSD virus is primarily facilitated by vector bites, with mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects being crucial contributors.
Over the past two years, approximately 200,000 cattle have succumbed nationwide, with millions more experiencing a decline in milk production due to LSD.
Biolumpivaxin is administered as a single vaccination once yearly to cattle and buffaloes over three months old.
In extensive clinical trials, thousands of cattle and buffaloes were vaccinated under field conditions by both ICAR-NRCE and Biovet, confirming the vaccine's safety and efficacy.
It was also proven safe across all groups of animals, including pregnant and lactating cattle and buffaloes, in addition to breeding bulls.
