Capacity expansion has been implemented across multiple facilities in Hyderabad and Bangalore, to reach ~ 700 million doses / year, one of the largest production capacities for Inactivated viral vaccines worldwide,
IMDG agonist molecule synthesis and manufacturing has been successfully implemented in India eliminating dependency on imports,
Raw materials, packing materials and single use consumables for manufacturing have been secured to meet our capacity requirements,
Hyderabad, India, April 20th, 2021: Bharat Biotech announces scale up of manufacturing capacity to produce ~ 700 million doses of COVAXIN® annually.
Manufacturing scale up has been carried out in a stepwise manner across multiple facilities at Hyderabad, and Bangalore. Inactivated vaccines, while highly safe, are extremely complex and expensive to manufacture, resulting in lower yields when compared to live virus vaccines.
Capacity expansion in vaccines manufacturing is a long and tedious process, requiring investments of several millions of rupees and several years. Bharat Biotech is able to expand COVAXIN® manufacturing capacity in a short timeline, mainly due to the availability of new specially designed BSL- 3 facilities, first of its kind for manufacturing in India that have been repurposed and preexisting expertise and know how to manufacture, test and release highly purified inactivated viral vaccines.
Manufacturing partnerships are being explored with our partners in other countries, who have prior expertise with commercial scale manufacture of inactivated viral vaccines under biosafety containment.
To further increase capacities, Bharat Biotech has partnered with Indian Immunologicals (IIL) to manufacture the drug substance for COVAXIN®. The technology transfer process is well underway and IIL has the capabilities and expertise to manufacture inactivated viral vaccines at commercial scale and under biosafety containment.
Bharat Biotech uses a proprietary adjuvant Algel-IMDG, that has now proven to be a safe and effective adjuvant, especially to stimulate memory T cell responses. The synthesis and manufacture of the IMDG component has been successfully indigenized and will be manufactured at commercial scale within the country. This is the first instance where a novel adjuvant has been commercialized in India.
The protocols for manufacturing, testing and release of inactivated vaccines have been tried, tested and validated across several of our vaccines, these also meet the requirements of WHO, Indian and other regulatory authorities. These protocols have delivered consistent results over a 15-year period with more than 300 million doses supplied globally, with excellent safety and performance record.
COVAXIN® has received Emergency Use Authorizations in several countries across the globe with another 60 in process. EUA’s have now been obtained from Mexico, Philippines, Iran, Paraguay, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Guyana, Venezuela, Botswana, Zimbabwe, among several other countries. EUA’s are in process in the USA and several European countries. Pricing for international markets and supplies to govt’s under EUA’s have been established between $15 – 20 / dose.
Summer is here and most of us would try to beat the heat by using air conditioners and coolers. On an average, we spend around 14-16 hours per day in an air-conditioned (AC) room to safe guard ourselves from the heat. Less known fact is that the artificial air and temperature changes caused by the AC’s do harm our health. “The most delicate organ being the eyes could be affected by long term use of air conditioners. Common complaints of people working in AC are dryness, irritation, grittiness, itching, burning sensation and watering from the eyes. These symptoms are collectively termed as the ‘Dry eye syndrome’,” says Dr. Sanjana Vatsa, Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Agarwal Eye Hospital, Bangalore.
WHAT CAUSES DRY EYES WHEN EXPOSED TO AC
Adequate quantity and good quality of tears is essential for smooth functioning of the eyes.
The Dry eye syndrome is characterised by change in quality or quantity of the three layers of the tear film namely – The external oily layer, middle water/aqueous layer and inner protein layer.
“In an air-conditioned room especially in very low temperatures, there is loss of humidity, the air becomes extremely dry and causes evaporation of tears, thus causing evaporative dry eyes. Also long term exposure to AC can alter the lipid production from glands in the eyelids causing changes in both quality and quantity of tear film and hence dry eyes. Without adequate lubrication, the eyes are more vulnerable to inflammation and infection, thus worsening the condition,” adds Dr. Vatsa.
MAJOR SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of dry eye syndrome include burning sensation, foreign body sensation, grittiness, itching, redness, heaviness, watering of eyes and blurring of vision. Also the reading speed can slow down for dry eye suffers and the rate decreases as the severity increases.
THE OTHER IMPORTANT CAUSES OF DRY EYE
▪ Usage of computers/ mobile phones for long duration – This reduces the blink rate and increases evaporation of tears, thus causing dry eye syndrome
▪ The natural aging process, hormonal variations during menopause can cause dry eyes in elderly women
▪ Medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders and Vitamin A deficiency
▪ Side effects of certain drugs like antihistamines, Isotretinoin etc.
▪ Laser eye surgery, although symptoms of dry eyes related to this procedure are usually temporary
▪ Tear gland damage from inflammation or irradiation
▪ Diseases that affect the ability to secrete tears such as Sjogren’s syndrome, Rheumatoid arthritis and Collagen vascular diseases
▪ Nerve palsy that don’t allow the eyelids to close completely
▪ Air pollution – people in metros are more likely to be diagnosed with dry eye syndrome than the other towns with relatively lesser air pollution.
TIPS TO PREVENT DRY EYES
▪ Minimise and decrease the number of hours of exposure to AC. Setting of AC temperature around 23 degree C and above is recommended.
▪ Avoid sitting with your face facing air conditioners, thereby preventing the evaporation of tears from the eyes.
▪ Place a small open bowl of fresh water in the corner of your air conditioned room to maintain humidity of air, thereby preventing dry skin and dry eyes.
▪ Drink plenty of fluids and keep yourself well hydrated
▪ Conscious frequent blinking when using computer or mobile phones will help in reducing the evaporation of tears from the eyes
▪ Have a traditional 7 – 8 hours of sleep which will give adequate rest to the eyes.
▪ Consider wearing UV protective sun glasses in the outdoors
▪ Use lubricating eye drops as prescribed by Ophthalmologists with regular follow ups as suggested
“Prevention is always better than cure. Thus follow recommendations and prescriptions from an eye doctor on eye medications and in-office procedures to help your eyes secrete adequate amount of good quality tears, thereby reducing the chances of dry eye syndrome,” sums up Dr Vatsa.
New Delhi, April 2021: The Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed) welcomes its new Executive Committee (ExCo) in India, in a timely move amid the pandemic when players in the medical technology (MedTech) industry need to work even closer together to grow a more robust, resilient and adaptive healthcare ecosystem. The ExCo is committed to continuously engage with regulatory bodies, policy makers, healthcare professionals, industry members and other stakeholders to facilitate patient access to innovative and life-saving medical technologies; thereby improving patient care outcomes. The India ExCo appointments are: Mr. Pavan Mocherla, MD, Becton Dickinson India, South Asia, as the Chairperson Ms. Meenakshi Nevatia, MD, Stryker India as Vice-Chairperson Mr. Narendra Varde, MD, Roche India & Neighbouring Markets as Vice-Chairperson Founded in 2014, APACMed is the only regional association to provide a unified voice for the MedTech industry in Asia Pacific, representing both multinational corporations as well as small and medium enterprises, together with several local industry associations across the region. The ExCo will build on the association’s mission to promote innovation and impact policy that advances healthcare access for patients in India.
Commenting on the new appointments of the India ExCo, Ms Harjit Gill, CEO, APACMed said, “We are in a period of transformational change within the healthcare ecosystem, and are delighted to have MedTech industry leaders step forward to contribute and steer India’s healthcare infrastructure and delivery of care through innovative collaborations and engagements with key stakeholders in the system.”
Brief Profiles of the Leadership Team of India ExCo:
Mr. Pavan Mocherla:- Pavan is the Managing Director of BD where he is closely involved in giving a strategic direction to the organisation’s South Asia operations. With more than 25 years of experience across various industries, he has led several successful assignments in both emerging and developed markets. Prior to BD, he was associated with eminent organisations like Whirlpool, Onida and NIIT Ltd. Pavan also serves as the Chairman for Advanced Medical Technology Association (Advamed) in India.
Ms. Meenakshi Nevatia :- Meenakshi brings over 20 years of healthcare experience. In her current role as the Managing Director of Stryker, India, Meenakshi is responsible for building Stryker’s business strategy and setting up the organization for long-term, sustainable growth in the Indian market. Meenakshi is on the Board of the Medical Technology Association of India (MTAI) and is the Chair of the Med Tech Committee at AMCHAM (American Chamber of Commerce).
Mr. Narendra Varde:- Narendra is the Managing Director for Roche Diagnostics India and Neighboring Markets. With a total of 15 years of experience in the IVD, Medical Devices & Pharmaceutical industries, most recently as General Manager and Country Head at Abbott Diagnostics India. Narendra brings global acumen, high degree of professionalism, adaptability and a collaborative style. He is an active spokesperson for a number of industry associations and professional organizations such as FICCI and others. He is also on the governing council of NATHEALTH.
14 April 2021: City Ophthalmologist, Dr Soosan Jacob, Director and Chief, Refractive and Cornea Foundation, and Senior Consultant, Cataract and Glaucoma Services at Dr. Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospitals, India, enters the international Power List – 2021, a list of Top 100 most influential women ophthalmologists in the world.
The prestigious Power List is compiled every year by ‘The Ophthalmologist’, a premier international publication dedicated to the field of Ophthalmology and selection is on the basis of national and international recognition among peer Ophthalmologists.
Dr Soosan Jacob has over 21 years of experience, specializing in Cornea, Refractive surgery and Cataract surgery. Her other fields of interest in ophthalmology include cutting edge cataract, complex and complicated cases, anterior segment reconstruction procedures, glaucoma and orbit and oculoplasty.
Commenting about the entry of his colleague in the Power List 2021, Prof. Amar Agarwal, Chairman, Dr Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospital, said, “My heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Soosan, who fully deserves this honor. It is a proud moment for everyone at Dr Agarwal’s Group. Dr. Jacob has been making exemplary contributions, especially to the cornea and refractive surgical field with many of her innovative surgical techniques – notable and recent among them being a novel technique called Corneal Allogeneic Intrastromal Ring Segment (CAIRS) to treat keratoconus, a more and more commonly seen condition in which the clear tissue on the front of the eye bulges outward. Her innovations have been life-changing for patients. My best wishes for many more laurels to come her way.”
In her comments, Dr Soosan Jacob, Director and Chief, Refractive and Cornea Foundation, and Senior Consultant, Cataract and Glaucoma Services said, “I am honored to be on this prestigious Power List of the Top 100 most influential women ophthalmologists in the world, a list that’s awaited eagerly every year. Initiatives like The Power List are important as they celebrate all the awesome, wonderful women ophthalmologists who show the way forward and inspire other brilliant women. For women, it is important to break glass ceilings to achieve their full potential. I must say that I have been fortunate both at home and at work to be in environments where it is considered crucial to empower women,” she said.
Dr Soosan Jacob has been the recipient of several prestigious international awards including International Society of Refractive Surgery’s Kritzinger Memorial Award; Connecticut Society of
Eye Physicians’ Innovator’s Award, The Waring Medal, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery’s John Henahan Award for Young Ophthalmologist, American Academy of Ophthalmology’s International Ophthalmologist Education Award and many international Oration awards.
She is a noted speaker and author – she has authored more than 100 peer reviewed publications, is the editor for 17 ophthalmology textbooks, is on the editorial board of prestigious international journals and on the executive committee of many international ophthalmological organizations. She conducts courses and delivers lectures in numerous national and international conferences and has been invited to teach her techniques at many international institutes such as Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, USA, Jules Gonin Eye Institute, Switzerland etc. Her surgical teaching YouTube channel has more than 10,000 subscribers.
Bengaluru / April 9, 2021: Delhi-based Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic has developed a world-class homeopathy protocol for prevention of Covid-19, which it has dispensed to 2 lakh people in the last one year, helping protect them from the dreaded pandemic. It is counted among the world’s most popular homeopathic prophylaxis protocols today, and the only one to have been validated in an evidence-based manner.
Dr. Kalyan Banerjee, Founder, Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic, New Delhi, said, “The homeopathic prophylaxis protocol was developed by us even before the lockdown started. One of the world’s largest datasets of 15,000 of our own patients from 18 countries was then analysed and a protective effect of the prophylaxis protocol was found. Senior doctors at our Clinic have been involved in the management of severe COVID-19 cases, including multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and are managing more than 100 Covid patients daily. They have also administered the our protocol to Covid patients from all over the world exclusively or as an add-on.”
He added: “Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic homeopathy prophylaxis protocol against Covid-19 has been requested by patients and doctors from several hospitals of the world in advanced stages of the disease. We have developed protocols according to case severity and provided these to various organisations on their request. We, of course, encouraged compliance with all public health advisories at all times, no matter where in the world the patient was located.”
There is an old relationship of Dr. Banerjee’s Clinic with Bengaluru. It has more than 25,000 patients in the city. The Clinic at Delhi processes more than 600 telephone, video or email consultation requests from Bengaluru each month. Between 120-150 patients visit Delhi from Bengaluru every month to seek treatment at Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic. Said Dr. Kushal Banerjee from Dr. Kalyan Banerjee Clinic, who visits Bengaluru once a month to see patients: “A lacunae in the homeopathic management of life threatening and complicated cases has been highlighted by patients in Bengaluru. Almost a quarter of the patients we see from the city are seeking treatment for respiratory allergies. Others are suffering from skin allergies, auto-immune disorders, cancers, endocrinological disorders, musculoskeletal disorders or gynaecological disorders.”
In another significant development, Dr. Banerjee’s Clinic has released findings from ongoing retrospective observational studies it has been conducting involving data of thousands of its patients from all over India. These show the benefits of homeopathy interventions in the management of chronic kidney disease / kidney failure and hypothyroidism, two very common diseases which have no resolution in conventional medicine.
Hypothyroidism imposes a heavy disease burden with 11% prevalence in India, higher than in developed nations. Lifelong hormone replacement therapy is the only option for patients. An average of 40 cases of hypothyroidism are treated daily at Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic. Measuring the levels of Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is a simple, objective criteria to assess the efficacy of treatment.
The hypothyroidism study at Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic analysed the records of 3,500 patients. Their Serum TSH readings were noted at every subsequent visit. Four visits of each patient were analysed with approximate follow-up period of 4 to 24 months. The study found that by the fourth visit, 35-52% of patients demonstrated a marked improvement in their serum TSH readings.
The data indicates that specific homeopathic medicines given to patients were able to improve the functioning of the thyroid gland, thereby bringing down the thyroid stimulating hormone readings. This has the potential of reducing – or entirely stopping – the dosage of thyroid hormone replacement in patients. This runs contrary to the understanding of the natural history of hypothyroidism, which indicates that the progression of the disease is usually not controlled.
Said Dr. Kushal Banerjee from Dr. Kalyan Banerjee Clinic, “This study shows that at the minimum, a third of all hypothyroid patients stand to benefit from homeopathy treatment protocols developed at our Clinic. No other similar therapeutic intervention is available today. Population studies up to now have indicated that there should be no change in the disease progression of these patients. This reversal of progression should be of immense research interest to the healthcare community and indicates a positive therapeutic effect of the specific homeopathic treatment provided to the patients.”
Added Dr. Kalyan Banerjee, “As shown by the study, at least 35% of patients of hypothyroidism stand to benefit from the specific homeopathic treatment provided at Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic. This includes, in almost all the patients who demonstrated improvement, a combination of two homeopathic medicines – Ignatia Amara 200c & Conium Maculatum 3c. This indicates the possible discovery of novel medicinal action of these two medicines for the management of hypothyroidism.”
Doctors of Dr. Banerjee’s Clinic also treat an average of 25 cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) per day. The CKD study conducted by the Clinic analysed raw data from the records of 520 new. Their Serum Urea and Creatinine readings were noted in every subsequent visit. Three visits of each patient at the Clinic were analyzed, with approximate follow up period of 3 to 6 months. The study found that by the third visit, 50% of patients demonstrated significant improvement in their serum urea and creatinine readings. No currently available treatment can affect such a reduction in these two most clinically important readings. Since these readings are a part of the decision-making process of whether to start dialysis or not, homeopathic treatment may help patients avoid the start of dialysis.
Said Dr. Kushal Banerjee, “At the minimum, 50% of the patients of chronic kidney disease stand to benefit from the specific homeopathic treatment provided at Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic. This offers the possibility of avoiding or delaying the onset of dialysis. No other similar therapeutic intervention is available today. Serum creatinine and urea levels along with eGFR are used to stage patients of CKD. Reduction in these levels may mean reduction of stage. This has never been demonstrated before. In almost all patients who have demonstrated improvement, a combination of two homeopathic medicines – Bryonia Alba 30c & Lycopodium 30c – was used. This indicates the possible discovery of novel medicinal action of these two homeopathic medicines for the management of CKD.”
Added Dr. Kalyan Banerjee, “These are early findings, but we encourage all doctors to consider the provision of homeopathic treatment for patients of these conditions. The homeopathic medicines have a proven high safety profile and cause no adverse reactions with any other medicines. They are safe to use. We will be happy to work with specialists in these fields to conduct robust trials and collaborate with research bodies to understand the mechanism of action of these remedies for CKD and hypothyroidism.”
Dr. Kalyan Banerjee’s Clinic has over 550,000 registered patients. Its doctors see more than 1,000 patients every day.
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