Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, and its affiliate Shantha Biotechnics, located in Hyderabad, India, has delivered the first 400,000 doses of its pediatric pentavalent vaccine Shan5 to support the immunization of children in the cities of Gwalior and Jabalpur, both in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.

In December 2014, following a two-year international tender, Shantha was awarded to supply global health organizations with a total of 37 million doses of Shan5 in 2015 and 2016, in a 10-dose vial presentation. This tender provides the basis upon which purchase orders will be made for specific vaccine deliveries throughout the period, depending on country needs. The Shan5 vaccine will be used in the routine immunization programs of a number of Gavi-supported countries, enabling up to ten million children to receive protection from five pediatric diseases.

Shan5 is a fully-liquid five-in-one, convenient, safe and high-quality vaccine that provides effective protection for children from 6 weeks of age against five diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib and hepatitis B (DTP – HepB – Hib). Shan5 vaccine has been developed and is produced at Shantha’s manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, India, and received marketing authorization in India in March 2014.

In April 2014, Shan5 was prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO). This status is based on a review of a comprehensive set of data related to the process and the product characteristics as well as on a positive recommendation of WHO’s auditors following a site inspection of Shantha’s manufacturing facilities.

Shantha, which was acquired by Sanofi Pasteur Holding in 2009, is a biotechnology company, founded by Dr. K I Varaprasad Reddy in 1993 in Hyderabad, India.

Source: Sanofi