Bharat Biotech International Ltd has announced the commencement of clinical trials for the tuberculosis vaccine candidate MTBVAC in India. This move marks a significant advancement in the fight against tuberculosis, a disease that continues to pose a significant global health challenge.

The currently used BCG vaccine, developed over a century ago, has shown limited efficacy against pulmonary tuberculosis, which is the primary mode of transmission. Recognizing the need for more effective solutions, Bharat Biotech has initiated trials in collaboration with Spanish biopharmaceuticals company Biofabri to evaluate MTBVAC's safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy in the Indian population.

MTBVAC represents a promising alternative to BCG, aiming to provide improved protection against tuberculosis for newborns and to prevent TB disease in adults and adolescents, for whom effective vaccines are currently lacking. This live attenuated vaccine, derived from mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from humans, holds potential for longer-lasting immunity and enhanced efficacy.

Esteban Rodriguez, CEO of Biofabri, emphasized the significance of testing MTBVAC in a country where a staggering 28% of the world's TB cases are concentrated. This underscores the critical need for innovative solutions tailored to high-burden regions like India.

Krishna Ella, executive chairman of Bharat Biotech, expressed optimism about the trials, describing them as a significant step forward in the pursuit of a more effective tuberculosis vaccine. The collaboration between Bharat Biotech and Biofabri represents a concerted effort to address the pressing global health challenge posed by tuberculosis.