IIT-Bhubaneswar & ILS Partner With TechInvention For Roll Out Of TB Vaccine
Published: 25 Nov 2025, 01:00 PM IST
Introduction
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar and the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) have joined forces with the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) to establish a quadripartite license agreement (QLA) with TechInvention Lifecare Limited. This partnership aims to transfer and commercialize an innovative next-generation tuberculosis (TB) vaccine targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The Global TB Challenge
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis claimed 1.23 million lives in 2024, making it one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally. Despite the availability of the Bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG) vaccine, developed over a century ago, its effectiveness is limited. The BCG vaccine primarily protects infants and is largely ineffective in preventing pulmonary TB in adolescents and adults.
The Next-Generation HSP Subunit Vaccine
To address this critical unmet need, researchers have developed a next-generation HSP Subunit Vaccine through collaborative efforts led by Prof. Ashis Biswas from IIT Bhubaneswar and Dr. Sunil Kumar Raghav from ILS Bhubaneswar. This new vaccine is designed to induce robust humoral and cellular immune responses, significantly improving the protective effectiveness of the existing BCG vaccine.
Key Features of the HSP Subunit Vaccine
- Innovative Design: The vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine developed as part of a joint collaboration between IIT Bhubaneswar and ILS.
- Enhanced Immune Response: It aims to generate stronger immune responses compared to the traditional BCG vaccine.
- Targeted Approach: Specifically designed to combat Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB.
Collaboration and Future Prospects
This partnership reflects the robustness of India’s research ecosystem and its commitment to addressing critical public health challenges. The HSP Subunit Vaccine candidate, developed by these premier institutions, represents a significant advancement in India’s efforts to combat tuberculosis.
Role of TechInvention Lifecare Limited
Under the terms of the agreement, TechInvention Lifecare Limited will take the lead in advancing the indigenous technology and translating it into a viable public health solution. The company is expected to complete phase-I and II clinical trials within the next four to five years, leveraging its expertise in vaccine development, regulatory compliance, and global health solutions.
Significance for Public Health
This partnership ensures that the jointly developed vaccine candidate advances efficiently from research to product development, validation, and eventual commercialization. It strengthens India’s mission to eliminate tuberculosis and underscores the transformative potential of indigenous, research-driven healthcare innovations for both national and global health.
Statements from Key Officials
Debasis Dash, the director of ILS, stated, “This partnership ensures that the jointly developed vaccine candidate advances efficiently from research to product development, validation and eventual commercialization. It strengthens India’s mission to eliminate tuberculosis and underscores the transformative potential of indigenous, research-driven healthcare innovations for national and global health.”
Conclusion
The collaboration between IIT-Bhubaneswar, ILS, NRDC, and TechInvention Lifecare Limited marks a significant milestone in the fight against tuberculosis. With the development of the next-generation HSP Subunit Vaccine, there is hope for improved protection against this deadly disease, ultimately contributing to better public health outcomes in India and beyond.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on a press release and is subject to further developments in the ongoing research and clinical trials.
