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The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) inviting eligible organizations, companies, and manufacturers to collaborate in research and development (R&D) for the development of a human vaccine candidate against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1. The collaboration also includes opportunities for manufacturing and commercialization.
The EoI document outlines the qualification criteria, submission guidelines, and scope of work. Interested applicants can download the document from the official ICMR website: www.icmr.gov.in.
Avian influenza H5N1 remains a major public health concern due to its zoonotic potential and high mortality rate. Recent outbreaks in 2021, 2023, and 2024 across multiple Indian states have significantly impacted the poultry industry, causing economic losses and raising alarm about potential human transmission.
Though human cases of H5N1 remain rare, they often result in severe illness, with a mortality rate exceeding 50%. Infected individuals can experience fever, respiratory distress, and multi-organ failure. While India has not reported significant human infections in recent years, the risk persists due to the close interactions between humans and poultry in farming and live bird markets.
India has implemented active surveillance and medical countermeasures to mitigate H5N1 risks. The development of a human vaccine is a critical step in pandemic preparedness, aiming to reduce transmission, lower mortality rates, and prevent socio-economic disruptions.
ICMR, in collaboration with its premier research body, the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, is spearheading efforts to develop an indigenous vaccine. Utilizing advanced methodologies such as mRNA and traditional vaccine platforms, ICMR aims to enhance India’s ability to respond swiftly to future H5N1 outbreaks. The ICMR-NIV team is equipped with well-characterized strains of HPAI H5N1 and possesses extensive expertise in outbreak investigations, surveillance, virological characterization, and vaccine candidate development.
The launch of this EoI marks a significant step toward the development of an indigenous human H5N1 vaccine. Strengthening pandemic preparedness through vaccine development, public awareness, and enhanced health infrastructure will be instrumental in safeguarding public health and economic stability. Organizations with the necessary expertise are encouraged to participate in this crucial initiative to combat the growing threat of Avian Influenza H5N1.
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