School children hold a banner as they take part in a H1N1 flu, formerly known as the swine flu, awareness run in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad August 17, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    NEW DELHI, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- As the death toll due to A/H1N1 flu is rising in India, a vaccine to fight the virus could most probably be ready by November, said an Indian pharmaceutical company Monday.

    Ahmedabad-based Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited in Gujara state, western India, said it will file an application for clinical trials of the vaccine in the next two days.

    Cadila will file an application with the Drug Controller General of India, seeking permission for clinical trials of an A/H1N1 flu vaccine that the company is preparing in collaboration with Novavax Inc.

    "Maybe tomorrow, we will file an application for clinical trials. God willing by January, we should be able to give the product to the market. Cadila should be the first company in India to have both clinical trials and vaccine for swine flu," Cadila Chairman Indravadan Modi told Xinhua on the phone.

    "As of today, we are in a position to provide about 2 million doses per month. Once we make a dedicated facility, the scope is endless. But for now, we can provide two million doses a month," Modi said.

    Cadila's dedicated facility to manufacture the vaccine will come up at Dholka near Ahmedabad in the next 18 months. If government clearances are obtained, Cadilla may be able to provide ample doses to satisfy the country's needs.

    Generally, it takes between four to five years for a vaccine to reach the market after all its trials are completed. However, Cadila hopes to complete all government formalities and roll out the vaccine very soon.

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