The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science & Technology has approved financial assistance to TechInvention Lifecare Ltd., Navi Mumbai for establishing a commercial-scale cGMP facility to manufacture an indigenously developed 16-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV-16). The initiative aims to strengthen India’s capacity in next-generation conjugate vaccines and reduce long-term dependency on imported products.
The PCV-16 platform includes 16 strategically selected pneumococcal serotypes, covering strains associated with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), antimicrobial resistance, and high fatality rates in India and other low- and middle-income countries. While 13 serotypes overlap with existing global vaccines, the inclusion of **three emerging strains—12F, 15A, and 22F—**significantly expands protection against evolving non-vaccine serogroups.
This indigenous vaccine candidate is the outcome of a rigorous science-based reassessment of serotype priorities, designed to support affordable immunisation for children, senior citizens, and vulnerable groups. Early-stage development was carried out at TechInvention’s BSL-2 facility at BSC BioNEST Bio-Incubator, RCB Faridabad, before advancing to the company’s high-containment GMP-aligned R&D centre, HORIZON in Navi Mumbai. An Indian patent has been filed to safeguard its novel serotype design and process innovations.
With TDB’s support, the project will now progress to full-scale cGMP manufacturing, ensuring advanced conjugate vaccines are developed and commercialised within India. The initiative is expected to enhance national self-reliance in critical vaccines, strengthen domestic biomanufacturing capacity, and pave the way for future multivalent platforms.
TechInvention Lifecare—holder of over 15 patents—has been increasingly recognised for its contributions to next-generation vaccine innovation, including work on India’s first 6-in-1 meningococcal conjugate vaccine.
TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak said the PCV-16 project represents the kind of high-impact, next-generation technology the Board prioritises, adding that indigenous vaccine development boosts national preparedness and ensures a resilient immunisation ecosystem.
The promoters of TechInvention stated that TDB’s support will accelerate the transition of PCV-16 from advanced R&D to large-scale, affordable production, helping deliver broad-coverage vaccines tailored for India and other LMICs.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
