New Delhi, 29^th August 2024 – Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), a leading vaccine manufacturer, has announced partnership with Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai, an Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institute for the commercial development of a recombinant monovalent viral nervous necrosis vaccine for finfish developed by CIBA.

IIL ventured into aqua business in October 2022 by launching products for aquaculture health market dealing with pond management and fish or shrimp gut management and subsequently announced commercial development of fish vaccines with ICAR’s CIFE, Mumbai and CIFA, Bhubaneswar. India is the 3^rd largest fish producer in the global sphere and more than 65% of India’s fish is through Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture. The main constraint to aquaculture globally, however, is disease with an estimate that 20% of all cultured aquatic animals are lost because of infectious diseases, amounting to >10 billion USD in losses annually on a global scale.

Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) or viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) is an acute viral disease affecting several species of marine, brackishwater and freshwater fishes. The disease causes up to 100% mortality in larval and early juvenile stages. Adult fish when infected, is asymptomatic, but can transmit the virus to the offspring through eggs and gonadal fluids.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr K Anand Kumar, Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals Limited said, “IIL is the first in India to get to fish vaccines. We are covering different kind of fishes (fresh water, brackish water, etc.) and culture conditions (pond, cage culture, etc.) and are aware of the challenges associated with being the first, having been in similar situations for many other livestock vaccines. We are working at multiple fronts in defining pathways for commercial development of fish vaccines in India“.

Dr. Priyabrata Pattnaik, Deputy Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals Limited added “IIL as a leading “One Health” organization is committed to developing vaccines for different fish pathogens with a long-term strategic objective of reducing use of antibiotics in aquaculture there by antimicrobial resistance in environment”.

Dr. Kuldeep K. Lal, Director, ICAR-CIBA said “viral nervous necrosis is a major threat for brackishwater aquaculture. The VNN vaccine developed by CIBA can prevent vertical transmission of the disease to the offsprings and prevent mortality in fingerlings. The vaccine can play a significant role in controlling the loss due to VNN in India and other Asian countries”.

Aquaculture in India suffers economic losses due to infections caused by several bacterial, viral, fungal, and other aetiological agents. Currently these infections are being managed by anti-infectives and other conventional measures with varying degree of success. With the rising concern pertaining on anti-microbial resistance (AMR) and chemical free food products both at global and domestic platforms, there is a growing need for better control measures against these infections. Currently there is no fish vaccines available in India on a commercial scale to prevent aquaculture infections.

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A study conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur, evaluated the impact of Bt. cotton in Maharashtra during 2012-13 and 2013-14. The study revealed a drastic reduction in bollworm infestation, reducing the need for insecticide applications from 8 to 4 sprays. Additionally, ICAR-CICR research indicated no adverse effects of Bt. cotton cultivation on soil ecological parameters.

In Andhra Pradesh, for the year 2023-24, over 4,73,345 farmers are cultivating Bt. cotton. The ICAR-CICR study observed a yield difference of 3-4 quintals per acre with the adoption of Bt. cotton, leading to an increase in income due to higher yields and reduced insecticide costs. The current net return from Bt. cotton in rainfed conditions is estimated at Rs. 25,000 per hectare with the adoption of suitable agronomic practices.

Given the widespread adoption of Bt. cotton, which occupies over 96% of the cotton cultivation area, conducting studies on non-Bt. cotton has become increasingly difficult, as it is no longer widely cultivated. This data underscores the significant and lasting impact of Bt. cotton on Indian agriculture, contributing to higher yields, reduced pest damage, and improved profitability for farmers.

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