In a healthcare landscape rapidly evolving toward preventive and accessible solutions, Novo Medi is at the forefront of advancing vaccine development tailored to India’s unique needs. In an exclusive interview, Dr. Asawari Savant of Elets News Network (ENN) engages in an insightful conversation with Forum Bhagat, Managing Director of Novo Medi Sciences, to explore how innovation, affordability, and awareness are redefining vaccine accessibility in the fight against chickenpox and emerging threats such as dengue and RSV. Edited excerpts 

What opportunities do you see for innovation in the industry, particularly in the context of vaccines?

Vaccinations are essential to preserving global health as healthcare shifts towards a more preventive approach. Technological advancements and innovation will remain crucial to maximize impact and reach. One significant opportunity we see is making vaccines for diseases like Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Dengue, and Malaria more available in India. While a few of these vaccines exist globally, in India, they remain in research stages and haven’t yet been fully developed. Last year alone, there were 0.29 million cases of dengue reported in India, with 485 lives lost. At Novo Medi, we are committed to making such lifesaving vaccines affordable and accessible to the Indian masses.

Learning from the COVID-19 era, we understand the importance of rapidly developing, testing, and distributing vaccines to better prepare for future health crises. Innovations in mRNA technology are promising as they enable faster vaccine development cycles. Another area for innovation is thermostability, which is crucial in regions with limited infrastructure where maintaining a consistent cold chain is challenging. Developing vaccines that remain potent at higher temperatures would make them far more accessible in low-resource settings. Additionally, technologies such as microarray patches (MAPs) and oral vaccines can simplify logistics, which will enhance immunization rates, especially in a country like India.

Affordability remains a critical factor in healthcare access in India. How do you see the industry balancing cost-effectiveness with the need for high-quality, innovative vaccines?

Affordability is a challenge not only in India but worldwide. Despite the substantial progress in advanced vaccine development, there remains an unmet need that can be addressed through innovative, accessible approaches. At Novo Medi, we believe that quality healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and affordability is always a top priority. One way the industry can bridge this gap is through public-private partnerships, which can subsidize research costs and make it feasible to offer vaccines at lower prices without compromising on quality.

We have partnered with government bodies in the past to provide affordable vaccines and continuously seek ways to enhance accessibility. By focusing on local manufacturing and streamlining our supply chain, we can offer high-quality, cost-effective vaccines, a path we believe is the way forward for the industry as a whole.

Many people in India still consider chickenpox a minor illness, assuming that contracting it builds natural immunity. How does Novo Medi approach this perception?

This perception stems from an era when healthcare information was less accessible, and the long-term effects of chickenpox weren’t well understood. In a country like India, it’s still common for people to view chickenpox as a harmless childhood illness that builds immunity. Unfortunately, this virus can remain dormant in the body for years and later cause shingles, a more severe and painful condition, especially in the elderly and immunocompromised. In India, only about 1 million infants receive chickenpox vaccinations, despite an annual birth rate of 2.3 million. This gap in awareness must be bridged to save lives, especially in a country with the world’s largest population.

At Novo Medi, we work to shift these perceptions by promoting awareness that vaccines are not luxuries but health necessities. We are committed to educating communities to create a future where proactive health measures replace reactive treatments.

Novo Medi’s Nexipox vaccine has been well-received due to certain unique qualities that set it apart from other chickenpox vaccines. Could you elaborate on some of these defining features that make it a preferred choice among healthcare professionals?

Nexipox was researched and developed with a deep understanding of both patient needs and the unique healthcare challenges in India, which is why it stands out in the market. This vaccine offers a breakthrough rate of 0%, assuring healthcare professionals and patients of its exceptional efficacy. When administered correctly, Nexipox has consistently demonstrated 100% effectiveness in preventing chickenpox.

It is also the world’s only thermostable chickenpox vaccine, remaining stable at temperatures up to 36°C for 28 days. This feature is vital in a country like India, where reliable electricity is not guaranteed in many rural and remote regions. The WHO estimates that up to 50% of vaccines are wasted globally each year due to lack of temperature control and broken cold chains, so thermostability is a crucial advancement.

With a shelf life of 36 months, Nexipox is also less likely to go to waste from expiry. It’s free from gelatin, which enhances its safety profile, and delivers 100% antigen, ensuring robust immunity. Nexipox has been deemed safe for adult immunization, as chickenpox is not solely a childhood disease. These features collectively make Nexipox more than just a vaccine; it’s a comprehensive solution for chickenpox.

What is your approach to maintaining the efficacy and quality of your vaccines?

At Novo Medi, quality is our guiding principle. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards, especially in a country as diverse as India. We invest in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities that meet international quality benchmarks to ensure safety and reliability from production to distribution. Our facilities undergo regular audits, and we use advanced technology to monitor manufacturing processes continuously. This approach not only upholds our quality but also allows us to respond quickly to regulatory changes. Each batch is rigorously tested for efficacy, potency, and safety before distribution.

Innovation in product design is also key to our strategy. For example, Nexipox, our chickenpox vaccine, is the world’s only thermostable vaccine in its category, staying effective at room temperature for 28 days. This design meets the unique needs of the Indian population, where uninterrupted refrigeration isn’t always possible. Nexipox is also gelatin-free, minimizing allergenicity risks.

Additionally, our extensive distribution network includes over 26 regional warehouses and 600 specialized distributors, enabling close monitoring of temperature-controlled storage and distribution. This network allows us to ensure quality at every step and respond swiftly to any potential issues.

Also Read: Driving Performance and Sustainability: Envalior’s Pathway for Redefining Medical Device Manufacturing

How does Novo Medi approach innovation and address unmet healthcare needs in the country today?

At Novo Medi, our philosophy, passed down from my grandfather, Shri Ramesh C. Bhagat, is to raise awareness about the importance of quality medicines in human life and to make them accessible at affordable prices. My grandfather introduced the first vaccines for polio and diphtheria to India in 1946, driven by his belief that essential vaccines should be available to every Indian. This dedication to accessible healthcare defines our approach to innovation.

Our latest efforts on the Shingles vaccine reflect this spirit. We are working on introducing the world’s first shingles vaccine approved for adults 40 and older, with a single-dose regimen. In our pipeline, we have groundbreaking vaccines for diseases like Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, a Meningococcal Conjugate vaccine, a Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, and a nanovalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine for cervical cancer. These offerings aren’t simply new products; they address significant unmet healthcare needs in India.

As the healthcare landscape evolves, we continually assess emerging needs to stay ahead of the curve. We honor our legacy by leveraging today’s technology and insights to achieve responsible, impactful innovation for the greater good.

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