A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India and Netherlands for development of vaccines. The MoU, signed under ‘Make in India’ initiative of Government of India, will enable the Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Corporation (BIBCOL), a Central PSU under Department of Biotechnology, to develop Measles – Rubella vaccine at its plant at Chola, Bulandshahr, UP. Translational Vaccinology (INTRAVACC) a government-based institute of the Netherlands will extend technical support for the development of vaccine.
The MoU was signed in the presence of the Prime Minister of The Netherlands, Mark Rutte during his visit to New Delhi. Under the MoU, cooperation in development of other vaccines and biologicals with DBT Research Institutes shall be explored.
Oudendijk, General Director of Intravacc, welcomed the broader collaboration as agreed upon in the MoU, since it is expected to provide innovative vaccine technology for the benefit of the people of India.
Dr MK Bhan, Chairman, BIBCOL said that this important collaboration between BIBCOL and INTRAVACC will pave the way for manufacture of high quality affordable vaccines, beginning with Measles and Rubella vaccine, and then take on the production of the other needed vaccines for the Immunisation Programmes of India and other developing countries in the world.
EP News Bureau – Mumbai