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13 March 2026; New Delhi; Oxford; Pune: The University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. (SII), a Cyrus Poonawalla Group company and the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, have signed an Intellectual Property license agreement to advance the development and manufacture of the ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine candidate.
Under the terms of the agreement, SII has been granted a non-exclusive, worldwide licence in the field of Nipah virus vaccines, enabling the company to support the development, manufacture and potential future supply of the vaccine candidate developed at the University of Oxford.
Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen associated with severe disease and high mortality, with outbreaks reported primarily in South and Southeast Asia since it was first identified in Malaysia in 1999. Despite the significant threat it poses to public health, there are currently no approved vaccines available to prevent Nipah virus infection.
The development of the ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine candidate is being funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and is based on the ChAdOx1 viral vector platform developed at the University of Oxford. Preclinical studies have demonstrated promising results, including strong immune responses in animal models and protection against infection in two in-vivo models.
Clinical-grade vaccine has been produced and a Phase 2a clinical trial has been initiated to evaluate the candidate’s safety and immunogenicity in humans. Subject to the results of these early studies, the programme is expected to progress to further clinical evaluation, including Phase 2b trials in regions where Nipah virus outbreaks occur.
Because outbreaks are typically sporadic and relatively small, conventional large-scale efficacy trials may be difficult to conduct. Regulatory pathways may therefore rely on a combination of clinical safety and immunogenicity data, preclinical evidence and data collected during outbreak responses, alongside established regulatory frameworks for vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.
Professor Brian Angus, Professor of Medical Practice at the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, and Chief Investigator of the trial at the Oxford Vaccine Group, said, "With mortality rates of up to 70%, and recurring outbreaks across South and Southeast Asia, Nipah virus poses a serious and ongoing threat to vulnerable communities. Our focus at Oxford is to turn scientific discovery into vaccines that could help prevent future outbreaks and save lives, and this collaboration with the Serum Institute of India represents an important step towards achieving that goal."
Dr. Umesh Shaligram, Executive Director, Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., said, "Serum Institute of India is pleased to collaborate with the University of Oxford to advance the development of the ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine candidate. Drawing on our experience with the ChAdOx1 platform and our global manufacturing capabilities, we look forward to supporting the continued clinical development of this vaccine candidate and contributing to efforts to strengthen preparedness against emerging infectious diseases such as Nipah virus."
Oxford University Innovation (OUI), the University’s innovation partner, supported the licensing arrangement between the University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India, to advance the ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine candidate towards development and manufacture. Dr Matthew Carpenter, Deputy Head of Licensing and Ventures for Life Sciences at OUI, said: "We’re proud to have supported the University in securing this licensing arrangement with Serum Institute of India. In the context of emerging infectious diseases such as Nipah virus, choosing the right partner is critical. Our role is to help move promising research from the laboratory into the hands of organisations with the expertise and scale to develop and deliver vaccines where they’re needed most. This agreement reflects Oxford’s commitment to translating scientific discovery into global health impact."
Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO, CEPI, said, "Nipah virus remains one of the world’s most dangerous pathogens, capable of triggering severe outbreaks with high mortality and with no approved vaccines currently available. Building on CEPI’s significant investments to advance global Nipah virus preparedness, we are proud to support the development of the ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine candidate. This collaboration between the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India exemplifies the power of pairing scientific innovation with world-class manufacturing capabilities. Together, we are strengthening the global ecosystem needed to rapidly develop, produce and deliver vaccines in response to future Nipah outbreaks, wherever they may occur."
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About Serum Institute of India Private Limited
Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd, is a global leader in vaccine manufacturing, dedicated to providing affordable vaccines worldwide. Present across 170+ countries, including the US, UK, and Europe, SIIPL holds the distinction of being the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. SIIPL’s multifunctional production and one-of-the-largest facility in Manjri, Pune, with an annual capacity of 4 billion doses, has saved over 30 million lives over the years.
Founded in 1966, SIIPL’s primary mission is to produce life-saving immunobiological drugs, with a particular emphasis on affordability and accessibility. Guided by a strong commitment to improving global health, the company has played a pivotal role in reducing the prices of essential vaccines, such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, HIB, BCG, r-Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. Notably, they are the manufacturers of ‘Pneumosil,’ the world’s most affordable PCV, and the first indigenous qHPV vaccine in India. Moreover, SIIPL has been at the forefront of the global fight against COVID-19, delivering over 2 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine worldwide.
To further expand its global presence and ensure widespread vaccine availability, SIIPL has established Serum Life Sciences Ltd, a subsidiary in the UK. Through relentless pursuit of innovation, SIIPL continues to champion the cause of affordable vaccines, making a positive impact on the lives of millions worldwide. www.seruminstitute.com
About University of Oxford
Oxford University has been placed number 1 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the tenth year running, and number 3 in the QS World Rankings 2024. At the heart of this success are the twin-pillars of our ground-breaking research and innovation and our distinctive educational offer.
Oxford is world-famous for research and teaching excellence and home to some of the most talented people from across the globe. Our work helps the lives of millions, solving real-world problems through a huge network of partnerships and collaborations. The breadth and interdisciplinary nature of our research alongside our personalised approach to teaching sparks imaginative and inventive insights and solutions.
Through its research commercialisation arm, Oxford University Innovation, Oxford is the highest university patent filer in the UK and is ranked first in the UK for university spinouts, having created more than 300 new companies since 1988. Over a third of these companies have been created in the past five years. The university is a catalyst for prosperity in Oxfordshire and the United Kingdom, contributing around £16.9 billion to the UK economy in 2021/22, and supports more than 90,400 full time jobs.
About Oxford University Innovation (OUI)
The University of Oxford’s intellectual property, including patented technologies, software, copyright, data, designs and know-how is offered for commercial use under licence from Oxford University Innovation (OUI). OUI is the research commercialisation office of the University of Oxford, recognised worldwide for its ability to engage academic prowess through licensing, catalyse innovative solutions through consulting services, and support the creation of spinouts, start-ups, and social ventures. OUI is dedicated to showcasing these transformative technologies on the global stage, bridging the realms of academia and the commercial world, thereby weaving a future where knowledge, innovation and partnership drive forward solutions to global challenges. For more information, please visit innovation.ox.ac.uk/
About CEPI
CEPI is an innovative partnership between public, private, philanthropic and civil organisations. Its mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. Central to CEPI’s pandemic-beating plan is the ‘100 Days Mission’ – its goal to develop safe, effective and accessible vaccines against new threats in just 100 days. CEPI is seeking $2.5 billion to execute CEPI 3.0, its 2027-2031 strategy, which will systematically reduce the likelihood, impact and cost of epidemics and pandemics by driving the 100 Days Mission towards an operational reality. Learn more at CEPI.net
Media contact
SII: media.enquiries@seruminstitute.com