- Shan5(TM) pentavalent pediatric vaccine will protect children against 5 pediatric diseases -
Lyon, France - March 17, 2015 - Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, announced today that its affiliate Shantha Biotechnics, located in Hyderabad, India, has delivered the first 400,000 doses of its pediatric pentavalent vaccine Shan5(TM) to support the immunization of children in the cities of Gwalior and Jabalpur, both in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.
In December 2014, following a two-year international tender, Shantha was awarded to supply global health organizations with a total of 37 million doses of Shan5(TM) in 2015 and 2016, in a ten-dose vial presentation. This tender provides the basis upon which purchase orders will be made for specific vaccine deliveries throughout the period, depending on country needs.
The Shan5(TM) vaccine will be used in the routine immunization programs of a number of Gavi-supported countries, enabling up to ten million children to receive protection from five pediatric diseases.
"This supply illustrates how Shantha and Sanofi Pasteur meet public health needs", said Olivier Charmeil, Sanofi Pasteur President and CEO. "We are proud to contribute to making high-quality vaccines accessible to more children in developing countries."
"We are pleased to have obtained this first tender award since Shan5(TM) was registered and WHO-prequalified in April 2014", said Dr. Harish Iyer, CEO, Shantha. "As one of the strategic manufacturing platforms for Sanofi Pasteur, Shantha is delivering on its commitment to serve Indian health needs and provide access in underserved vaccine markets."
About Shan5(TM)
Shan5(TM) is a fully-liquid five-in-one, convenient, safe and high-quality vaccine that provides effective protection for children from 6 weeks of age against five diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib and hepatitis B (DTP - HepB - Hib). Shan5(TM) vaccine has been developed and is produced at Shantha's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, India, and received Marketing Authorization in India in March 2014.
In April 2014, Shan5(TM) was prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO). This status is based on a review of a comprehensive set of data related to the process and the product characteristics, as well as on a positive recommendation of WHO's auditors following a site inspection of Shantha's manufacturing facilities.
About Shantha
Shantha, which was acquired by Sanofi Pasteur Holding in 2009, is a biotechnology pioneer from the emerging countries, founded by Dr. K I Varaprasad Reddy in 1993 in Hyderabad, India. Shantha is a fully integrated biotechnology company involved in R&D, manufacturing and marketing. Shantha's mission is to develop, produce and market human health care products which are affordable and meet the highest International standards. Shantha's products complement Sanofi Pasteur's portfolio. Besides Shan5(TM), three of its vaccines are WHO-prequalified: Shanchol(TM) cholera vaccine, Shanvac-B® hepatitis B vaccine and ShanTT(TM) tetanus vaccine. Sanofi Pasteur and Shantha are also developing a new vaccine against rotavirus and a pediatric combination vaccine based on Shan5(TM), which will incorporate Sanofi Pasteur's Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) in order to secure polio eradication.
About Sanofi
Sanofi, an integrated global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, provides more than 1 billion doses of vaccine each year, making it possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe. A world leader in the vaccine industry, Sanofi Pasteur offers a broad range of vaccines protecting against 20 infectious diseases. The company's heritage, to create vaccines that protect life, dates back more than a century. Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company entirely dedicated to vaccines. Every day, the company invests more than EUR 1 million in research and development. For more information, please visit: www.sanofipasteur.com or www.sanofipasteur.us
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