Singapore: The not-for-profit organization, International Medica Foundation, that works towards the development of a safe, effective and affordable rotavirus vaccine, will now be providing the vaccine developed for the Chinese market for the first time.

The vaccine that has been clinically tested for use in newborns has been sub-licensed to Shanghai BravoBio. This is the first time the Chinese market will get the rotavirus vaccine that will be orally administered to newborns.

This agreement represents a major milestone in bringing a safer and superior rotavirus vaccine to families in need globally.

Dr Wu Ke, president, BravoBio, said, "We are excited about our sub-license for the world's first rotavirus vaccine for newborns and that it has superior attributes over the currently marketed rotavirus vaccines. Once we obtain regulatory approval, China will lead the world in providing early protection against diarrhea caused by rotavirus in young infants."

Rotavirs gastroenteritis causes an estimated 329,000 hospitalizations and 4,900 deaths in infants and children each year in China and is a vaccine preventable disease. All newborns across the world are at risk of rotavirus infection which can cause life-threatening diarrhoea.