Transfer of Technology of Bluetongue Multivalent Inactivated Vaccine

MOU signed with M/s Sanvita Biotechnologies Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad

New Delhi, 17 July, 2012

Indian Council of Agricultural Research signed a MOU with M/s Sanvita Biotechnologies Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad for commercialization of Bluetongue Multivalent  Inactivated Vaccine  in presence of Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary (DARE) & DG, ICAR, Dr. R. Prabhakaran, Vice Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Science University, Dr. K. M. L Pathak, DDG(AS), Dr. Gaya Prasad, ADG(AH), Dr. Krishnamachari from Sanvita Biotechnologies and other experts dignitaries from ICAR and TANUVAS .

This technology has already been taken by Indian Immunologicals Limited, Hyderabad and Biovet Private Limited, Bangalore for commercial production by signing Memorandum of Understanding with TANUVAS and ICAR, under the Public Private Partnership Programme on 15-2-2011

Indian Council of Agricultural Research has initiated All India Network Programme on Bluetongue during Xth Five Year Plan which is continuing in XIth Five Year Plan (2007-2012) with a total budget outlay of Rs. 7.00 crores and is continuing in XII Plan Period in order to develop effective control programmes for bluetongue.  The network programme is functioning at 11 centres located at various states of India.  Bluetongue multivalent inactivated vaccine is successfully developed by TANUVAS Centre in collaboration with Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (Andhra Pradesh), Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (Karnataka) and Lala Lajpatrai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (Haryana).

BTV serotypes 1, 2, 10, 16 and 23 which are prevalent in India are incorporated in the vaccine.  The vaccination of sheep needs to be done one month before the onset of monsoon.  The usefulness of bluetongue vaccine is tested extensively in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.  There is wide appreciation from the farming community regarding effectiveness of this vaccine.

Bluetongue, which is transmitted by culicoides, was first reported in India during 1964.  Now the disease is present throughout India, mainly affecting sheep.  The disease is more severe in southern states (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka).  There are also reports on the occurrence of bluetongue in goats, cattle and wildlife.  Currently bluetongue is causing huge losses in temperate regions (Europe) due to climate change.

(Source: Animal Science Division, ICAR)

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