Hyderabad, July 30 (IANS) Biological E. Limited (BE), a Hyderabad-based vaccine and pharmaceutical company, on Tuesday announced that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has granted Pre-qualification (PQ) status to their Novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).

nOPV2 is the 10th pre-qualified vaccine of BE. This next-generation live, attenuated oral vaccine significantly reduces the risk of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks and it is aimed at immunisation in countries that are affected by cVDPV2 outbreaks, the company said.

The persistent threat of cVDPV2 outbreaks can be tackled with the use of nOPV2 as the vaccine of choice. With its improved genetic stability, nOPV2 has a significantly decreased chance of seeding new outbreaks in low-immunity environments as against its predecessor, the Sabin poliovirus type 2 (mOPV2) vaccine, the BE said.

Extensive clinical trials have rigorously evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of nOPV2, leading to promising results published in The Lancet (2019-2024). Furthermore, the vaccine’s real-world deployment in outbreak regions has shown that it can significantly decrease the incidence of cVDPV2 outbreaks, safeguarding communities from the ravages of polio.

BE has become an important player in the production of the nOPV2 vaccine, having been selected for a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to assist in meeting the growing global demand.

In collaboration with PT BioFarma (PTB) in Indonesia, the first manufacturer of the nOPV2 vaccine to receive WHO Pre-Qualification in January 2024, BE has successfully received technology from PTB and qualified large-scale manufacturing facilities that produce more than 500 million doses of nOPV2 vaccine annually. BE has been approved by the Indian regulatory authorities to manufacture the vaccine for export purposes.

Mahima Datla, Managing Director, Biological E. Limited, said that they are pleased to be a part of the global effort to eradicate polio. “Our collective quest to eradicate polio marks a significant milestone with the WHO pre-qualification of nOPV2. This vaccine has been specifically designed to address concerns about Vaccine-Associated Paralytic Polio (VAPP), which has occurred in approximately 2 to 4 cases per million births with the traditional OPV due to the vaccine virus reverting to a virulent form,” she said.

Expressing BE’s gratitude for the collaboration with PT BioFarma (PTB) and for the support of a grant from the Gates Foundation, she further said, “The significance of this milestone extends beyond scientific achievement; it represents a beacon of hope for millions of children and families around the globe. The achievement of administering over 1 billion doses of nOPV2 in outbreak regions is crucial to realising the dream of a polio-free world.’’

–IANS

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Chennai, July 30 (IANS) Chief Minister MK Stalin has deployed a team from Tamil Nadu to coordinate the rescue operations in Wayanad in Kerala where a landslide in the wee hours of Tuesday led to the loss of 84 lives, left scores hurt and many more trapped inside the debris.

The two IAS officers, KS Sameeran and Joe Vargheese will coordinate the relief and rescue team from Tamil Nadu.

A statement from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Office said that a relief team from the state comprising 20 firemen led by a Joint Director of the Fire and Rescue Department will reach Wayanad later in the day.

As many as 20 disaster and relief personnel led by a Superintendent of Police along with 10 doctors and nurses will also be part of the Tamil Nadu team deputed for Wayanad.

CM Stalin spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured him of all support from Tamil Nadu.

The TN CM has already announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 crore to the Kerala government due to the tragedy.

–IANS

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Akola (Maharashtra), July 30 (IANS) NCP legislator and spokesman Amol Mitkari on Tuesday alleged that a group of activists belonging to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had vandalised his car.

The incident took place a day after Mitkari had led a scathing attack against the MNS chief, Raj Thackeray, after the latter’s sarcastic comments against the NCP national president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The attack took place on the premises of a government rest house.

Mitkari reacted sharply after the attack saying, “They take the name of Maharashtra and commit hooliganism like this. This is a cowardly attack. I am not afraid of these attacks…If they (MNS) think that they can come to power by remaining in the MahaYuti it will not happen,” he said.

“I was in the rest house at the time of the attack. Some people came to see me. The attack was carried out by MNS workers. I have filed a complaint against this with the Superintendent of Police,’’ said Mitkari.

He further said that the MNS workers were standing outside the government rest house and tried to attack him.

Raj Thackeray on Monday had targeted Ajit Pawar in a press conference in Pune. Thackeray made a sarcastic comment: “Even though Ajit Pawar was not in Pune, the dams in Pune were filled.”

Immediately after Raj Thackeray’s remarks, Mitkari criticised Raj Thackeray saying that he has lost his credibility. “Questioning party president Ajit Pawar’s performance by the most unsuccessful person in the political history of Maharashtra so far is like pointing at the sun,” he added.

–IANS

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Tehran, July 30 (IANS) Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari arrived in Tehran on Tuesday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, scheduled to be held later in the day.

He was welcomed at the Tehran Airport by the Indian Ambassador to Iran, Rudra Gaurav Shresth, along with other senior officials.

“Welcomed at Tehran Airport by the Indian Ambassador to Iran, Shri Rudra Gaurav Shresth Ji, and senior officials on my visit to Iran. I will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s President, in Tehran today,” Gadkari posted on X after his arrival.

Top dignitaries, including current Presidents and Parliament speakers from various countries, are in the Iranian capital for the inauguration ceremony of the new government.

Pezeshkian took over the office after his endorsement by the Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Sunday. He was announced as Iran’s next president earlier this month following his victory in a runoff against Saeed Jalili, a former chief nuclear negotiator.

In May, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar represented India at former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s funeral, who along with late Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other Iranian officials, had passed away in a helicopter crash on May 19.

–IANS

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Jaipur, July 30 (IANS) Rajasthan Governor designate Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde reached Jaipur on Tuesday.

He was greeted by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa along with other members of the cabinet, Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant, Director General of Police UR Sahu and senior administrative and police officers also welcomed him.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma introduced the members of the cabinet to the Governor-designate. He was also given a guard of honour by the R.A.C. battalion at the airport and took the salute of the parade and inspected the guard of honour.

On reaching Raj Bhavan, the Governor’s Secretary Gaurav Goyal welcomed him by presenting a bouquet of flowers.

After reaching Raj Bhavan, the Governor-designate first worshipped Lord Shiva and offered water at the Raj Rajeshwar temple located at Raj Bhavan. He also offered Bilva leaves and Prasad to the Lord and wished well for everyone.

He also met the outgoing Governor Kalraj Mishra.

–IANS

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