IIT Bhubaneswar, ILS sign pact to commercialise new TB vaccine

IIT Bhubaneswar, ILS Sign Pact to Commercialise New TB Vaccine

Bhubaneswar: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) and the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), has signed a quadripartite license agreement (QLA) with TechInvention Lifecare Ltd. This agreement aims to facilitate the technology transfer and future commercialization of a novel tuberculosis (TB) vaccine.

Overview of the Agreement

The signing of the agreement took place on November 24, 2025, and marks a significant step in the fight against tuberculosis, a disease that continues to pose a serious threat to global health. The vaccine in question is known as the ‘HSP Subunit Vaccine in Adjuvant (DDA) Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis’.

Development of the Vaccine

The HSP Subunit Vaccine candidate was developed through a collaborative effort between the ILS and IIT Bhubaneswar. The NRDC played a crucial role in identifying, evaluating, and facilitating the licensing process for this innovative technology.

Key Contributors

Ashis Biswas – IIT Bhubaneswar
Sunil Kumar Raghav – ILS, Bhubaneswar
NRDC – Facilitator of technology transfer

The Need for a New Vaccine

Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally, claiming approximately 1.23 million lives in 2024, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The urgency to end the TB epidemic by 2030 is a critical global health priority, as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Limitations of Current Vaccines

Currently, the world primarily relies on the Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine, which was developed over a century ago. While the BCG vaccine provides limited protection, particularly to infants, it is largely ineffective in preventing pulmonary TB in adolescents and adults. This highlights the critical need for a more effective vaccine solution.

Features of the HSP Subunit Vaccine

The HSP Subunit Vaccine is designed to address the limitations of existing TB vaccines. It aims to:

Trigger strong humoral and cell-mediated immune responses.
Enhance the protective efficacy of the existing BCG vaccine.

Commercialisation and Future Steps

With TechInvention Lifecare Ltd. as the licensed industry partner, the agreement ensures that the indigenous vaccine technology will be translated into a viable public health solution. This partnership is expected to streamline the process from research to product development, validation, and eventual commercialization.

Impact on Public Health

This initiative significantly strengthens India’s mission to eliminate tuberculosis and underscores the transformative potential of indigenous, research-driven healthcare innovations. The successful commercialization of the HSP Subunit Vaccine could lead to a substantial reduction in TB cases and deaths, contributing to global health efforts.

Conclusion

The collaboration between IIT Bhubaneswar, ILS, NRDC, and TechInvention Lifecare Ltd. represents a promising advancement in the fight against tuberculosis. By developing a next-generation vaccine, these institutions are taking significant steps towards improving public health outcomes and addressing a critical global health challenge.

Note: The information provided in this article is based on the latest updates and developments in the field of tuberculosis vaccine research and commercialization.

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