Bharat Biotech has launched a ₹1,500 crore state-of-the-art vaccine manufacturing facility at the Odisha Biotech Park in Bhubaneswar. The facility has been set up under its subsidiary Sapigen Biologix, which will be used to manufacture vaccines with an annual capacity of eight billion doses.

Key Takeaways:

1. Facility Details:

Located at the Odisha Biotech Park, the facility is one of the world's largest vaccine production hubs.
It will have the capability to produce 10 different vaccines, starting with three:

• Oral Cholera Vaccine (Hillchol – BBV131).

• Malaria Vaccine (RTS,S – developed with GSK).

• Oral Polio Vaccine.

Later production will include vaccines for Chikungunya and Zika.  2.  Economic and Employment Impact:

• The facility will generate more than 2,000 direct jobs and 1,500 indirect jobs.

• It will foster a knowledge-based industrial base in the eastern region to decongest biotech manufacturing.

  3.  Global Contribution to Public Health:

• The Malaria vaccine aims at targeting Low and Middle-income countries in Africa and Asia focusing on Plasmodium falciparum Malaria burden

• Hillchol is crucial at a moment when there are shortages of the oral cholera vaccines worldwide particularly after cholera outbreaks in a country like Angola

  4.  Commitment to Self Reliance and Pandemic Preparedness :

• Bharat Biotech Founder Chairman Dr. Krishna Ella said the facility is a testament to India's self-reliance in vaccine manufacturing and preparedness for future pandemics.

• The facility cements the group's commitment to affordable vaccines and global public health.

  5.  International Recognition:
Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, accompanied by a high-level delegation of ministers and business leaders, visited the facility on Saturday, marking its significance on a global stage.

Statements from Leaders or Officials:

• Dr. Krishna Ella, Founder Chairman, Bharat Biotech

"This facility embodies our commitment to global public health, affordable vaccines, and India's self-reliance. We are proud to bring the first vaccine manufacturing plant to eastern India, fostering knowledge-based industries in this region."

• Dr. Raches Ella, Managing Director, Sapigen Biologix:

"The timing of Hillchol's rollout is critical given the global shortage of oral cholera vaccines. This facility is a step forward in addressing urgent global health challenges."The facility further underlines Bharat Biotech's commitment to meeting global vaccine demands and power India's position as a leader in biotechnology. This facility is bound to make vaccines more accessible worldwide, particularly for poor regions.