Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to India’s effort to develop next-generation vaccines, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar and the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar have formally transferred a novel tuberculosis (TB) vaccine technology to TechInvention Lifecare Limited. The transfer took place through a Quadripartite License Agreement (QLA) facilitated by the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC).
The licensed innovation—titled “HSP Subunit Vaccine in Adjuvant (DDA) Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis”—is aimed at addressing one of the world’s most persistent infectious killers. According to the World Health Organization, TB claimed nearly 1.23 million lives in 2024, keeping it among the top global health threats. Although the century-old BCG vaccine continues to be the primary shield against TB, it provides limited and short-term protection, particularly failing to prevent pulmonary TB in teenagers and adults.
In response to this decades-long medical gap, an advanced subunit vaccine has been developed through a collaborative effort led by Prof. Ashis Biswas of IIT Bhubaneswar and Dr. Sunil Kumar Raghav of ILS. Their candidate vaccine is engineered to elicit strong humoral and cellular immune responses and to enhance the protective efficacy of the existing BCG vaccine.
Recognising its strong potential for public health impact, NRDC evaluated the technology and coordinated the licensing process, ensuring that the innovation moves rapidly toward real-world application.
The official technology transfer ceremony was hosted at ILS Bhubaneswar in the presence of several dignitaries, including Dr. Debasis Dash, Director, ILS; Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar; Prof. Dinakar Pasla, Dean (Sponsored Research & Industrial Consultancy), IIT Bhubaneswar; Dr. B. K. Sahu, Senior Regional Manager & Head – Outreach Offices, NRDC; Syed S. Ahmed, Director & CEO, TechInvention Lifecare Limited, along with the lead scientists and other invited guests.
The HSP Subunit Vaccine, jointly developed by ILS and IIT Bhubaneswar, is considered a significant advancement in India’s fight against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The collaboration highlights the strength of India’s scientific institutions and their commitment to addressing urgent public health challenges through indigenous research.
TechInvention Lifecare Limited, as the licensed industry partner, will now take the technology forward—overseeing development, validation, regulatory processes, and commercialization. With its experience in vaccine innovation and manufacturing, the company is well-positioned to translate the research into an effective public health product.
This partnership reinforces India’s mission to eliminate tuberculosis and showcases the transformative potential of homegrown, research-driven healthcare solutions for both national and global health needs.
