Millions of young women in our country can soon get protection against the cervical cancer, thanks to an affordable (Rs 200-400 per dose) vaccine (CERVAVAC) developed within the country by ABLE member, Serum Institute of India. Currently there are two imported vaccines that costs 8-10 times more and has prevented its widespread use. The cancer is caused by Human Pappilloma virus. The vaccine needs to be administered in two doses in 9–14-year-old girls and in three doses for women in the 15-16 age group. The vaccine was launched by the union minister for S&T Dr Jitendra Singh on September 1, 2022.

ABLE urges the government to include the cervical cancer vaccine in the National Immunization Programme so that millions of our future generation of citizens can lead a healthy life free of this deadly form of cancer.

We are also happy to know that the prestigious HK Firodia Foundation Life Time Achievement Award for 2022 has been conferred on ABLE Chairperson, Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. Our heartiest congratulations to her.

On the ‘World Biofuel Day’ on August 10, 2022 Hon. Prime Minister inaugurated the nation’s first 2G ethanol plant at Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat (Haryana) plant, built with Indigenous technology developed by ABLE member, Praj Industries and using Novozymes enzymes, also an ABLE Member, for the conversion of biomass.

Continuing the trend of good news coming from our member companies, August too has brought glad tidings on the funding front. Prominent fund raisers in August were: Sea6Energy that raised nearly $18 million (Rs 140 crore) from BASF Venture Capital and Aqua-Spark. Another startup member Eyestem has raised $6.4 million in Series A. What is important is that this round of funding has come mostly from Indian biotech and pharma companies such as Biological E, Natco Pharma, Kemwell Biopharma, Alkem and so on. Existing investors Kotak and Endiya too have contributed to enable Eyestem to further develop in promising treatment against macular degeneration eye disease.

There is more good news from ABLE member Bharat Biotech. The company’s rotavirus oral vaccine has been introduced in Nigeria. Bharat Biotech has also announced the good results from the clinical trials of its intra nasal (BBV 154) against Covid-19 virus, developed in partnership with Washington University St Louis.

I am happy to announce that ABLE has launched the 10th Edition of ‘voice for BT’, the country’s premier public speaking contest for biotechnology students. The competition will be conducted with support from Novozymes in the four zones, DY Patil University, Mumbai (West), Amity University, Noida, UP (North), KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (East) and Sastra University, Thanjavur, TN (South) in September and October. I request all our member biotech institutions and others to participate in a big way and let us identify the country’s brightest biotech speakers and leaders of tomorrow.

G S Krishnan

Hon. President, ABLE