Context:
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) to invite pharmaceutical companies to partner in the development and manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies against Nipah virus.
The initiative aims to:
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- Develop an indigenous platform for mAb production.
- Scale up manufacturing, ensuring availability during outbreaks.
- Collaborate with ICMR institutes, like the National Institute of Virology (NIV), for technical support and regulatory guidance.
- Develop an indigenous platform for mAb production.
This initiative aligns with India’s goal of Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) health solutions, reducing dependence on imports and enhancing national biosecurity.
About Nipah Virus:
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- Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. Fruit bats of the Pteropus genus are the natural reservoir, but humans can also transmit it through close contact.
- Nipah infection can cause severe respiratory illness, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and multi-organ failure, with a high fatality rate of 40–75%.
- India has experienced repeated outbreaks, especially in Kerala, raising concerns about epidemic potential.
- There is no licensed vaccine or specific antiviral therapy, making early detection and supportive care critical.
- Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. Fruit bats of the Pteropus genus are the natural reservoir, but humans can also transmit it through close contact.
About Monoclonal Antibodies:
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- Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are laboratory-engineered proteins that mimic the immune system by binding specifically to viruses or infected cells. They can neutralize the virus, prevent replication, and reduce disease severity. mAbs have been successfully used against Ebola and COVID-19, demonstrating their potential for emerging viral infections. For Nipah virus, an antibody called m102.4 has shown promising results in animal studies and limited human use. Developing indigenous mAbs would allow India to rapidly respond to outbreaks without relying on imports.
- Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are laboratory-engineered proteins that mimic the immune system by binding specifically to viruses or infected cells. They can neutralize the virus, prevent replication, and reduce disease severity. mAbs have been successfully used against Ebola and COVID-19, demonstrating their potential for emerging viral infections. For Nipah virus, an antibody called m102.4 has shown promising results in animal studies and limited human use. Developing indigenous mAbs would allow India to rapidly respond to outbreaks without relying on imports.
Conclusion:
By promoting monoclonal antibody development, India is moving from reactive response to proactive preparedness against emerging infectious diseases. This strategy strengthens public health infrastructure, bio-pharmaceutical sovereignty, and epidemic readiness, making it a critical development in India’s health security landscape.
