Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP)

It is an indigenous vaccine for leprosy, developed by National Institute of Immunology. This vaccine is to be administered to those living in close contact with infected people. MIP is now being introduced into the National Leprosy Elimination Programme (NLEP)

• It is also the first vaccine on leprosy and has shown capability to bring down cases by 60% in next three years.
• With the launch of this vaccine, a software called Nikusth was also launched to keep track on leprosy patients in the country.

What is MIP?

MIP is a non-pathogenic bacteria that has been named after Dr Pran Talwar, who discovered it, and NII, where it was identified. In its heat-killed form, it acts by sprucing up the body’s immunity. Apart from leprosy, it is also being tried as a vaccine against bladder cancer, warts, lung cancer and TB. It has received approval as a leprosy vaccine from the Indian drug regulator, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).