Hyderabad’s Shanchol cholera vaccine re-approved by WHO to boost global supply

Hyderabad-based GCBC Vaccines has received WHO reapproval for its oral cholera vaccine, Shanchol, originally developed by Shantha Biotechnics. The move revives India’s role in ensuring global vaccine supply and supports public health efforts against recurring cholera outbreaks.

Hyderabad: Reinforcing its title as the vaccine capital of India, a major pharma company from Hyderabad is set to re-energise the global supply of the life-saving oral cholera vaccine.

Shanchol, the oral cholera vaccine originally developed by Hyderabad-based Shantha Biotechnics, has received prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO), enabling global procurement agencies such as UNICEF, Gavi and PAHO to source the vaccine for use in countries where cholera remains a major public health challenge, a statement here on Thursday said.

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“Shanchol was conceived as an affordable and accessible solution for countries facing repeated cholera outbreaks. The WHO prequalification of the vaccine carries forward that founding mission,” said Dr K I Varaprasad Reddy, Founder of Shantha Biotechnics.

Over the years, close to 40 million doses of Shanchol have been supplied worldwide through UNICEF-led vaccination campaigns. After production was paused under its former ownership, GCBC Vaccines Pvt Ltd (formerly Shantha) has resumed manufacturing, with WHO conducting an on-site inspection and transferring the prequalification.

Shanchol remains the only oral cholera vaccine manufactured in India with WHO prequalification, underscoring India’s key role in ensuring the continuity of global supply.

“As part of the founding family of Gland Pharma, I have seen how world-class sterile manufacturing from India can transform global healthcare. By resuming production of Shanchol, we are bringing the same rigour and reliability to ensure this life-saving vaccine remains available worldwide,” said Dr Ravi Penmetsa, Managing Director, GCBC Vaccines Pvt Ltd.

“This milestone underscores Shantha’s renewed commitment to global health. Our focus is on ensuring that vaccines like Shanchol reach the countries that need them most, reliably and affordably. At the same time, we are working to bring other affordable and innovative vaccines from our pipeline to global markets, continuing Shantha’s tradition of expanding access to life-saving immunisation,” said Dr Vishy Chebrol, Executive Director, GCBC Vaccines Pvt Ltd.