Technology transfer of Sabin-IPV to new developing country markets

The Netherlands Vaccine Institute (NVI) developed the micro-carrier technology for large-scale production of IPV in the late 1960s and has used this technology successfully to produce IPV as well as DTP-IPV for the national immunization program in the Netherlands. As a public sector organization, and as one of the Millennium Development Goals, NVI has supported over the years access to vaccine technology like DTP and Hib for vaccine manufacturers in developing countries. In line with this role as a resource institute, NVI has recently been approached by a number of vaccine manufacturers, predominantly from developing countries, for transfer of IPV technology to meet the anticipated increase in demand for IPV following OPV cessation. Since WHO encourages new manufacturers to use the attenuated Sabin virus instead of wild polio strains in the production of IPV, NVI decided to respond positively to this WHO policy. The existing NVI experience in large-scale production of IPV and OPV using Vero cell based micro-carrier technology and its experience with experimental Sabin-IPV is an attractive start for the development of Sabin-IPV. This paper discusses the approach followed and the experience already gained in the project, as well as factors critical to its success.