Biological E gets WHO pre-qualification status for oral polio vaccine

In collaboration with PT Bio Farma (PTB) in Indonesia, the first manufacturer of the nOPV2 vaccine to receive WHO Pre-Qualification in January 2024, BE has successfully received technology from PTB and qualified large-scale manufacturing facilities that produce more than 500 million doses of nOPV2 vaccine annually. BE has been approved by the Indian regulatory authorities to manufacture the vaccine for export purposes.

Ms. Mahima Datla, Managing Director, Biological E. Limited, said, "We are pleased to be a part of the global effort to eradicate polio. Our collective quest to eradicate polio marks a significant milestone with the WHO pre-qualification of nOPV2. This vaccine has been specifically designed to address concerns about Vaccine-Associated Paralytic Polio (VAPP), which has occurred in approximately 2 to 4 cases per million births with the traditional OPV due to the vaccine virus reverting to a virulent form."

Ms. Datla further expressed BE's gratitude for the collaboration with PT Bio Farma (PTB) and the support of a grant from the Gates Foundation, “Collaborating with PTB is a privilege and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Gates Foundation for entrusting us with the responsibility of manufacturing nOPV2. Together we are committed to advancing the cause of global health equity and guaranteeing that no child is affected by the devastating effects of polio. The significance of this milestone extends beyond scientific achievement; it represents a beacon of hope for millions of children and families around the globe. The achievement of administering over 1 billion doses of nOPV2 in outbreak regions is crucial to realizing the dream of a polio-free world.’’