New Delhi: Amid recurring outbreaks, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has sought to work with Indian pharmaceutical companies to develop and manufacture monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the Nipah virus, which has an extremely high death rate, according to scientists and documents reviewed by Mint.
Monoclonal antibodies are proteins produced in laboratories that are modified to function similarly to natural antibodies.
ICMR’s plan is to create its own production platform, which requires companies to commit to producing a minimum of 100,000 batches per week. This comes in the backdrop of ICMR holding successful animal trials with the first autonomously developed monoclonal antibodies to treat Nipah virus patients, as reported by Mint earlier.
The virus, which is commonly transmitted from bats, has a high mortality rate. Currently, India imports monoclonal antibodies from Australia. These are given intravenously. There is currently no vaccine available against Nipah virus. Four confirmed cases of Nipah were reported in Kerala from April to July, including the first case in Palakkad.
The move by the Indian Council of Medical Research is a critical escalation in India’s preparedness for the Nipah virus, which directly confronts the challenge of its extremely high mortality rate, a defining characteristic that underscores the ongoing threat to public health.
“ICMR is willing to collaborate with eligible organizations, companies and manufacturers for the ‘development and production of monoclonal antibodies against Nipah virus disease,'” the document said. It further stated that the company will be granted rights to further develop, manufacture, sell and commercialize the technology/product of “Monoclonal Nipah Virus Disease Antibody” or to further research and develop and commercialize the final product/technology.
The document mandates the ability to mass produce as a prerequisite for qualification. “A capacity to produce at least 100,000 doses per week” and “a commitment to stockpile monoclonal antibodies (400-500 doses) for emergency use once the regulator approves the use.”
“ICMR’s goal is to create a safe, indigenous production platform for monoclonal antibodies, which are the only available treatment against the lethal virus. The company’s urgent requirement is a strict minimum commitment to produce 100,000 doses per week. This massive expansion is designed to ensure a buffer stock large enough to meet the demand for potential large outbreaks that the sporadic but devastating nature of Nipah will destroy.” he did not want to be named.
Queries sent to the health ministry spokesperson and pharmaceutical companies such as Cipla, Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Alkem remained unanswered till press time.
The search for a vaccine
There is no licensed Nipah vaccine or antiviral available; the candidates are years away, though one is in the middle stages of the trials with India earmarked as a key seat.
“Nipah is a deadly disease, transmitted by bats, with a very high mortality rate of more than 80%,” said Dr. Balram Bhargava, former Director General of ICMR. He argued that the development of a Nipah vaccine is impractical because “Nipah vaccination will not be a useful tool” because it is not clear who to vaccinate. Instead, Dr. Bhargava highlighted monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as “probably one of the best things that can be used to treat Nipah.” These intravenously administered mAbs are vital for both early diagnosis and patient management.
Besides, this therapeutic approach would also benefit other Southeast Asian countries facing the threat of Nipah virus, he said.
The first detected outbreak occurred in Siliguri, West Bengal in 2001, followed by another in Nadia district in 2007. After more than a decade of silence, the virus re-emerged in Kerala in 2018, resulting in a very high mortality rate of around 91%. Since then, Kerala has reported several episodes, including cases in 2019 and 2021, as well as repeated spills in 2023 and 2025. These repeated incidents underscore the continued risk of Nipah in southern India.
