The biotech firm Panacea Biotec shares opened at Rs 158 on the NSE and Rs 160 on the BSE on Tuesday, while closing at Rs 134 yesterday after the company announced it had secured a $127.3 million contract.

The long-term order worth more than Rs 104 crore is from UNICEF and the Pan American Health Organisation for the supply of its pentavalent vaccine Easyfive-TT.

According to the healthcare platform website 1mg.com, it is a five-in-one vaccine for infants and young children. It provides active immunity against five serious diseases, including diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type B, hepatitis B, whooping cough, and tetanus.

The order from UNICEF is worth $98.755 million (approximately Rs 813 crore) for the supply of 99.7 million doses of vaccine from 2023 to 2027, while $28.55 million (approximately Rs 235 crore) from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) crore) orders for the supply of 24.83 million doses from 2023 to 2025, according to a statement from the company.

Rajesh Jain, managing director of Panacea Biotec, said this demonstrates India’s growing role in supporting global health.

The company said EasyFive-TT is a ready-to-use vaccine that does not require medical staff to prepare in the clinic, thereby reducing the number of visits to vaccination centres and the total cost of immunisation for all stakeholders.