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Indian scientists are currently conducting advanced research to characterize regional variations in venom with the aim of developing anti-venoms tailored to specific geographic regions. They are also engaged in development processes of rabies vaccine. This is going by the huge demand as the country records fatalities accounting to almost 18,000 – 20,000 in rabies and 58,000 from snake bites annually. In fact, India leads the world in advanced rabies prophylaxis by manufacturing Rabies Monoclonal Antibodies (RmAbs), including WHO-collaborated Cocktail RmAbs.
Siddarth Daga, managing director, VINS Bio, said for production of snake venom in India, the production is mostly done using equines. Small or controlled doses of snake venom or rabies virus are administered into these animals for several weeks. This compels their immune system to generate high levels of anti-bodies.
A safe procedure is used where plasma is collected through plasmapheresis. This plasma undergoes procedures like purification and enzyme extraction. Viruses, bacteria and unwanted proteins are removed through multiple filtrations and to meet therapeutic standards, each batch goes through rigorous testing. The infrastructure for this high scale production includes collection networks, healthy horse herds under vet supervision, international standard pharma facilities and temperature controlled logistic system, he added.
The big concern is rabies and snakebite remain silent public-health crises in India. With better surveillance systems and better data collection systems, it will help authorities allocate resources effectively. Improved reporting mechanisms and active case-finding initiatives are bridging the knowledge gaps. Investment in cold chain infrastructure and procurement systems are growing to meet the reduced stock challenges of rural areas. Treatment access is expanding through telemedicine and mobile health units. Health worker training programs that teach proper antivenom selection, administration and manufacturing region specific antivenom to cater to India’s diverse geography are some of the important steps that can handle the crisis effectively, Daga told Pharmabiz in an email.
In the case of rabies, prevention efforts like animal birth control programs and dog vaccination are scaling up in urban areas. Community health workers are conducting awareness sessions and teaching about immediate steps and when to seek medical care after a bite are a step forward. Human health, veterinary services, and local governance are brought together under the One Health initiative, and these well-coordinated plans are replacing fragmented efforts.
To this end, India plays a major role in supplying life-saving biologics to high-burden regions globally. Our country’s products’ meet WHO prequalification standards which are supplied through internationally established channels and specific country procurement authorities. Regulatory frameworks align with global harmonization initiatives, facilitating market access. Indian manufacturers produce high-quality antivenoms and rabies immunoglobulin at prices 60-80% lower than alternatives, enabling health systems across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to afford treatments that save lives. We see researchers are characterizing regional venom variations to develop antivenoms suited to different geographies, he noted.
The Hyderabad-based VINS Bio specialises in manufacturing region specific monovalent and polyvalent antivenoms for snakes and scorpion for different regions. Additionally, work on thermostable formulations promises to reduce cold-chain dependency, particularly valuable in settings with limited electricity infrastructure, said Daga.
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