New Delhi, June 29 (IANS): Global research and development organisation Hilleman Labratories has conducted the pre-clinical trial for a new Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, which can offer affordable treatment to kids having viral diseases, said a top company official on Monday.

Hib is a bacterium that can cause a number of serious diseases, especially among young children, like pneumonia and meningitis that account for nearly 20 percent of deaths globally.

The report of the successful trial has been published in the scientific journal named Vaccine.

The unique formulation derived from the ongoing research will not only bring down the cost of the vaccine, but will also provide a scalable platform for commercial manufacturing.

"Capsular polysaccharide conjugates of Hib are important components of several mono-or multivalent vaccines for children. However, the access to needy people is limited due to the relative high cost of the Hib vaccine," said Davinder Gill, CEO, Hilleman Laboratories.

"This new formulation will be a step towards developing a cost-effective and a more immunogenic vaccine. It is an encouraging breakthrough in bridging the gap and making Hib vaccine accessible and affordable," he added.

Gill said a strategic three-step approach was used to identify the efficacy of polysaccharide in preparing a vaccine for Hib.

"We have already completed the preclinical immunogenicity trial phase which has shown predictive results. Our next step now would be to look at collaboration with like-minded stakeholders who can work together towards cost effective solutions with the aim of bridging existing gaps in a significant way," he added.