A premier technology providing institution is offering technology for cost effective production of vaccine against peste des petits ruminants (PPR) also known as 'goat plague; a highly contagious viral disease of sheep and goats. The disease is now endemic in India and losses due to PPR are estimated around Rs.1800 million per annum out of the target small ruminant population of about 200 million.

The vaccine virus has originated from an indigenous isolate of PPR virus occurring in the wild. The vaccine virus in a prototype of viruses presently circulation in India and neighbouring countries. The production of live PPR vaccine involves culturing of vero cells in disposable plasticwares (both stationary and roller bottles using commercial media and serum and infection with the vaccine seed virus.

Area of Application: Effective treatment of goat plague.

Advantages

• Relatively cheaper than equivalent vaccine produced outside India using African isolate
  
• Long duration immunity, avoids need for repeated vaccination in the same animal
  
• Export potential as PPR viruses of similar genetic lineage are circulating in some other Asian countries also.
  

Stage of Development:

Commercialised, extensive field testing done, patent applied for.

Economic Data Equipments:

Roller apparatus, laminar flow cabinets, state of the art freeze-dryer and other equipment required for a standard virology laboratory.

Raw materials:

Vero cells, disposable roller bottle and culture flasks, autoclavable eagle's minimum essential medium, certified bovine calf serum and other chemicals and reagents required in a cell culture laboratory. The details can be arranged on request.

Transfer Forms:

Technical know-how, technical consultancy, turkey project, training on operations.

Source: Technology Bureau for Small Enterprises