- A unique vaccine delivery device based on proprietary technology developed by PATH, supported by USAID and commercialized by Becton Dickinson [BD]. Shanvac-B in BD Uniject is a single-dose, single-use injection device that guarantees the integrity and sterility of Shanvac-B right up to the final moment of use 

Hyderabad, India, January 10, 2005: Shantha Biotechnics a pioneer in modern biotech products for healthcare today announced the availability of Shanvac-B in a unique vaccine delivery device called BD Uniject™*. Based on proprietary technology developed by PATH, supported by USAID and commercialized by BD, Shanvac-B in BD Uniject™ is yet another stride forward in Shantha Biotechnics’ endeavor to constantly research and develop effective biotechnology products for human care and patient safety. 

Shanvac-B in BD Uniject™ is a single-dose, single-use injection device that guarantees the integrity and sterility of Shanvac-B right up to the final moment of use. The BD Uniject™ device prevents any scope of tampering or contamination from the outside environment. The absence of glass, rubber or silicone ensures that there is no chance of particulate matter mixing with the vaccine.  

“The technology behind BD Uniject™ is unique.” Varaprasad Reddy, Managing Director, Shantha Biotechnics, said “The device has a one-way disc valve that prevents refilling after it has been used once. Shanvac-B can be injected after simple one-step activation.  The BD Uniject™ device has a double-pointed needle that activates the device easily. Most importantly the needle is not in contact with the vaccine before activation reducing the risk of contamination. Shanvac-B in BD Uniject™ utilizes the world’s sharpest needle so that the receiver feels the least pain. The vaccine reservoir is also designed for fast and accurate dose of vaccine. The appearance of Shanvac-B in BD Uniject™ is such that even a child does not feel frightened looking at it. This also reduces the fear of vaccination.” 

According to Mr R Sridharan, Program Officer, PATH, “PATH has been facilitating technology development, assessment, adaptation, transfer, local production, and commercialization of selected products of relevance to PACT-CRH. For several years, PATH has been working on the introduction of existing medicaments in the prefilled single dose delivery method using BD Uniject™ and in the process accumulated an excellent Clinical and Field Experience with BD Uniject™. Shantha has taken the novel step of introducing its world-class vaccine in a world-class device for ensuring the highest levels of safety for children.” 

Shantha Biotechnics developed this product under technical assistance from PACT-CRH project at PATH and in collaboration with Becton Dickinson [BD], the supplier of the BD Uniject™ device. Shanvac-B is pre-qualified Hepatitis –B Vaccine approved by Geneva based World Health Organization. Shantha is also gearing up for launching combination vaccines by the middle of this year, produced at its new vaccine-manufacturing complex at Hyderabad.

 

About Shantha Biotech

Shantha is the pioneer in India for modern biotech products for human healthcare and its r-DNA Hepatitis B vaccine, Shanvac-B, is prequalified by WHO, Geneva for supplying to UN agencies. Shantha aims to expand its current vaccines portfolio by launching combination vaccines and new generation vaccines produced indigenously at its WHO cGMP plant near Hyderabad. Shanvac-B is exported to over 40 countries as well. Other novel products developed by Shantha include Shanferon [r-DNA Human Interferon Alpha 2b], Shankinase [recombinant Streptokinase] and Shanpoietin [recombinant Erythropoietin]. You may visit Shantha Biotechnics at http://www.shanthabiotechnics.com

 

About PACT-CRH Project

Program for Advancement of Commercial Technology -Child and Reproductive Health (PACT-CRH) is a bilateral project funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and managed by ICICI Bank. PATH provides technical assistance to this project by supporting introduction and commercialization of technologies in India aimed at improving reproductive health, improving child survival, and reducing transmission and impact of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS 

About PATH

PATH is an international, nonprofit organization, which creates sustainable, culturally relevant solutions, enabling communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health. By collaborating with diverse public- and private-sector partners, PATH helps provide appropriate health technologies and vital strategies that change the way people think and act. PATH's work improves global health and well-being. 

About BD

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) is a medical technology company that serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, industry and the general public.  BD is a 5 billion USD American company that is the world’s largest manufacturer of Auto-Disable syringes and has over 80% share of the global prefilled syringe market