TDB-DST Supports Indigenous Development of 16-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
The Technology Development Board under the Department of Science and Technology has approved financial assistance for M/s TechInvention Lifecare Limited, Navi Mumbai to establish a commercial-scale cGMP facility for producing an indigenously developed 16-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine. The initiative is intended to strengthen national capabilities in next-generation conjugate vaccines and reduce long-term reliance on imported products through domestic development and manufacturing.
Vaccine Design Based on Targeted Serotypes
The PCV-16 platform is based on a carefully chosen group of 16 pneumococcal serotypes associated with invasive pneumococcal disease, antimicrobial resistance and higher fatality risks in India and other low- and middle-income regions. Thirteen serotypes align with existing global pneumococcal vaccine platforms, while the addition of three emerging serotypes, namely 12F, 15A and 22F, is intended to expand protection against evolving non-vaccine serogroups and strengthen its public health relevance.
R&D Progress and Technology Protection
The project follows a research-driven reassessment of serotype selection to support cost-effective immunisation for children, elderly groups and other vulnerable sections. Initial upstream and downstream development activities took place at TechInvention’s BSL-2 facility located within the BSC BioNEST Bio-Incubator at RCB Faridabad and were later advanced to the organisation’s GMP-aligned high-containment R&D centre, HORIZON, in Navi Mumbai. An Indian patent application has been filed to secure the distinct serotype composition and process innovations.
Scale-Up and Manufacturing Plans
With support from the Technology Development Board, the project is set to transition to full-scale cGMP production. This step is expected to contribute to the development, validation and commercial rollout of advanced conjugate vaccine technologies within the country, while strengthening domestic biomanufacturing capabilities and creating prospects for future multivalent platforms.
Company Profile and Statements
TechInvention Lifecare Limited has expanded its technical expertise, holds more than 15 patents and is advancing several indigenous vaccine candidates, including what is described as India’s first 6-in-1 meningococcal conjugate vaccine. The company has also received recognition from national bodies for work in next-generation vaccine development.
Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary of the Technology Development Board, stated that the PCV-16 project reflects the type of next-generation vaccine technology the Board aims to support, emphasising that indigenous development and commercial-scale production contribute to national preparedness and ensure dependable domestic solutions for the immunisation ecosystem.
The promoters of TechInvention noted that the support will help move the PCV-16 programme from advanced research and development to large-scale, affordable manufacturing and described the partnership as integral to their efforts to provide broad-coverage vaccines suitable for India and low- and middle-income countries.