Tuberculosis continues to be a major global health threat, claiming 1.23 million lives in 2024, according to the World Health Organization.
Published Nov 25, 2025 | 3:37 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 25, 2025 | 3:37 PM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: India’s first tuberculosis vaccine for adolescents and adults – HSP Subunit Vaccine (DDA) – developed by IIT Bhubaneswar and ILS Bhubaneswar, is ready for commercialisation. A quadripartite licence agreement has been signed with TechInvention Lifecare to produce this BCG-boosting vaccine, addressing the critical gap in pulmonary TB protection.
A new tuberculosis (TB) vaccine for adolescents and adults, the HSP Subunit Vaccine in Adjuvant (DDA), is now ready for commercialisation.
Existing vaccines, such as the Bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG), offer only limited protection, mainly for infants, and are largely ineffective in preventing pulmonary TB in older age groups. The new vaccine aims to fill this critical gap.
The vaccine was developed through collaborative research by IIT Bhubaneswar and the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, under the Department of Biotechnology.
The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) facilitated the technology transfer and evaluation process, ensuring that the innovation moves efficiently from research to product development.
To advance the commercialisation of the vaccine, a quadripartite license agreement (QLA) has been signed with TechInvention Lifecare Limited.
The licensed industry partner is responsible for translating the vaccine technology into a viable public health solution, taking it from research validation to widespread availability.
The HSP Subunit Vaccine is designed to trigger strong humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, while also enhancing the protective efficacy of the existing BCG vaccine.
This makes it a next-generation tool in India’s efforts to combat TB, particularly among adolescents and adults, who remain vulnerable despite the long-standing use of BCG.
Tuberculosis continues to be a major global health threat, claiming 1.23 million lives in 2024, according to the World Health Organization.
The collaborative effort between premier Indian institutions and the private sector highlights the country’s commitment to addressing urgent public health challenges and strengthening its research ecosystem.
