Zydus Lifesciences Limited, a global leader in life sciences and vaccine innovation, has announced its groundbreaking project to develop the world’s first combination vaccine against typhoid and shigellosis. This pioneering initiative underscores India’s growing capabilities in medical innovation, aiming to combat two deadly enteric diseases with a single shot.
The project, set to commence in March 2025, is backed by the Gates Foundation and will undergo early-stage development, animal immunogenicity studies, and regulatory preclinical toxicology assessments. Zydus will collaborate with a research partner to integrate its WHO-prequalified Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (ZyVac™ TCV) with a Shigella vaccine, creating a novel and potentially life-saving solution.
Typhoid and shigellosis are major public health concerns, particularly in endemic regions. Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella typhi, affects an estimated 11 to 21 million people annually, leading to thousands of deaths. Shigellosis, a severe diarrhoeal disease caused by Shigella bacteria, remains the second leading cause of diarrhoeal mortality, responsible for approximately 212,000 deaths worldwide. Recognizing the urgent need for intervention, the WHO recently listed Shigella as a priority pathogen for vaccine research and development.
Vaccination remains the most effective strategy to curb these infections. By combining protection against both diseases into a single vaccine, Zydus aims to enhance accessibility, affordability, and efficiency in immunization programs, particularly for children under five—the most vulnerable group. This innovative approach aligns with global immunization strategies and offers a potential breakthrough in tackling vaccine-preventable diseases in high-risk areas.
