Serum Institute’s HPV vaccine Cervavac receives WHO prequalification
The Serum Institute of India's Cervavac, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine, has received prequalification from the World Health Organization. This status allows the vaccine to be procured by UN agencies for global distribution to prevent HPV-related cancers in children and young adults.
Why it matters
WHO prequalification is a critical milestone for an indigenous vaccine, significantly expanding its accessibility and potential impact on global public health.
Serum Institute of India’s recombinant Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV) vaccine Cervavac has received World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification.
The vaccine targets HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. It is indicated for girls and boys aged 9 through 26 years. Inclusion on the WHO list of prequalified vaccines allows Cervavac to be procured by United Nations agencies, Serum Institute said.
The vaccine was developed in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), along with the WHO-IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) and the Gates Foundation. It is the 32nd WHO prequalification for products/biologicals received by Serum Institute, the vaccine maker said.
“WHO prequalification of Cervavac is an important step in strengthening the global response to HPV. We are pleased to see this indigenously developed vaccine reach this achievement,” CEO Adar Poonawalla said.
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