India has been facing a serious health challenge with the recurring outbreaks of the Nipah Virus, which has a fatality rate several times higher than COVID. According to ICMR, the mortality rate for Nipah infection ranges from 40% to 75%, reaching up to 91% during the 2018 Kerala outbreak. The country has now achieved a major success in developing a domestic ‘Monoclonal Antibody’ against Nipah, where no dedicated vaccine or drug has been available.
The important research for developing the Antibody against Nipah was carried out by scientists at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, India. This Antibody, developed successfully in the country’s highest BSL-4 laboratory, targets specific parts of the virus to neutralize the infection.
Monoclonal antibodies are protein molecules tailored in labs to target specific parts of a virus. For deadly viruses like Nipah with no available cure, these antibodies are considered the most effective bio-therapeutic measure.
To ensure widespread access to this research, ICMR (New Delhi) has called for ‘Expression of Interest’ from partners for the production of this domestic antibody. Criteria require selected companies to have the production capacity to manufacture at least 1 lakh doses weekly.
In addition to production capacity, partner companies will also need to maintain an emergency stockpile of 400-500 doses for emergency use.
Explained: Nipah Virus is a ‘Zoonotic Virus’ that primarily spreads from animals to humans. Its natural hosts are fruit bats, and the virus spreads through contact with infected bat excreta or saliva, contaminated fruits, or direct contact with infected individuals.
In India, Nipah infections have been reported in several outbreaks, the most severe being the 2018 Kerala outbreak where 91% of infected individuals succumbed to the virus. With the ongoing outbreaks, the development of Monoclonal Antibodies against Nipah presents a significant strategic and health-related advancement.
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