Ahmedabad-based Cadila Pharmaceuticals has developed a novel three-dose recombinant nano-particle based rabies G protein vaccine. A campaign has also been launched under the name ‘One, Two, Three. Rabies Free.’

The vaccine - ThRabis is prepared by using Virus-Like Particle technology (VLP). The VLPs self-assemble from this recombinant G protein which is produced from genes cloned into baculovirus expression vectors and expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells. The vaccine generates antibodies against rabies G protein, which leads to virus neutralisation, as well as prevents virus attachment to the cell to confer protection against rabies.

The ‘Cadila Against Rabies’ event held in Ahmedabad was attended by key experts from the Association for the Prevention and Control of Rabies in India (APCRI) Founder President and Mentor Dr MK Sudarshan; President Dr DH Ashwath Narayana; Secretary General Dr Sumit Poddar, and Treasurer Dr HS Ravish and other leading experts.

It is estimated that globally, rabies kills 59,000 animal bite victims every year, mainly in Asia and Africa. Over 20,000 people die in India alone, mainly because many animal bite victims do not complete the full course of the available vaccine.