The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar, September 13, 2024 (TBB Bureau): Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), one of the leading vaccine manufacturers in India, has announced the launch of “Shashthi,” an indigenous In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) media, developed in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). This significant development is poised to revolutionize the IVF technology in India’s dairy sector by making it more affordable for farmers, while reducing reliance on expensive imported IVF media. This aligns with the Indian government’s vision of a self-reliant, “Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a cutting-edge reproductive technology that involves fertilizing an egg outside the body in a controlled laboratory environment and selecting the healthiest embryos for transfer. IVF has emerged as a vital tool in animal husbandry, with Ovum Pick-Up and In-Vitro Embryo Production (OPU-IVEP) replacing traditional methods. These advancements in reproductive technology are expected to boost India’s dairy sector by multiplying superior bovine germplasm, which will ultimately transform the landscape of dairy farming across the country.
Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman NDDB (left) and Dr K Anand Kumar, Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals (right) launch Indigenous In-vitro Fertilization Media for Embryo Transfer.
Currently, 8,000 to 10,000 embryos are transferred annually in India, leading to the birth of around 2,000 to 2,500 calves. However, with increasing adoption of IVF technology, bolstered by government subsidies, the penetration of this technology is expected to rise significantly. The government’s push through initiatives like the Rashtriya Gokul Mission is instrumental in accelerating the use of IVF in animal husbandry.
Globally, OPU-IVEP and embryo transfer (ET) technology is witnessing rapid growth. In 2022, approximately 1.595 million IVF embryos were produced worldwide, according to the International Embryo Technology Society (IETS). In India, although the adoption of this technology has been slower, recent government support has led to the establishment of 36 IVF laboratories. However, high costs associated with the media required for IVF procedures remain a significant challenge, with 50% of the total cost attributed to media, primarily due to reliance on imported products.
To address this issue, NDDB and IIL collaborated to develop a suite of indigenous IVF media, significantly reducing the cost burden on Indian farmers.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB, remarked, “The launch of the indigenous IVF media suite developed by NDDB and its subsidiary, Indian Immunologicals Ltd, is a historic milestone for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India.’ The use of embryo transfer technology through IVF is growing worldwide to enhance genetic progress. With the government’s recent emphasis on IVF under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, 36 IVF labs have been established in India. However, these labs rely on costly imported IVF media with limited shelf life. The introduction of indigenous IVF media will significantly lower the cost of embryo production, making the technology more accessible to dairy farmers across the country.”
Dr. K Anand Kumar, Managing Director of Indian Immunologicals Limited, added, “IIL is the first company in India to manufacture a series of indigenous IVF media. The current cost of commercial media per embryo is Rs. 1,000. In contrast, the indigenously developed media will cost Rs. 650 per embryo, representing a 33% reduction. This cost reduction will help decrease the overall cost of embryo production and, subsequently, the cost of pregnancies, making IVF technology more affordable for farmers.”
Recent data collected by the Central Monitoring Unit, DADF (Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries), Government of India, highlights the growing demand for IVF technology in the country. From 22 functional IVF labs, around 30,000 embryos were produced between 2020 and June 2023, resulting in the transfer of 16,000 embryos and the birth of 3,000 calves. With the demand for IVF embryos expected to rise to 75,000 per year, the introduction of indigenous IVF media will enable India to meet this demand in a cost-effective manner, benefiting both the dairy sector and the broader economy.
The launch of “Shashthi” marks a pivotal step toward self-reliance in reproductive technology for India’s dairy farmers, ensuring that the country can keep pace with the global trend while promoting affordable solutions for animal husbandry.
