COVAXIN Developer Bharat Biotech To Invest Rs 300 Crore To Set Up Facility In Odisha To Produce 10 Types Of Vaccines

In a major boost to India's vaccine production capacity, Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL)'s upcoming facility in Odisha will be used to manufacture ten different kinds of vaccines including the ones for malaria and COVID-19, reports Livemint.

BBIL will be investing Rs 300 crore on the new unit in Biotech Park in Andhaura of Bhubaneswar.

To expedite the plan's manifestation, Odisha's Chief Secretary has already issued the orders for the authorities to start the ground level construction work within a fortnight and commence production within the scheduled time. The building plan as per the design has also already been approved along with the required statutory clearances and pollution board permission.

Odisha government has meanwhile also urged BBIL to up a 'state of art' biotech incubation centre, common facilities and IT corridor along with the first phase construction of the industry.

BBIL is either developing or already producing new and improved vaccines for a range of diseases like rotavirus diarrhoea, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, pandemic influenza, and also drug-resistant staphylococcus.

BBIL has also been developing the indigenous Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, in partnership with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The third-stage trials of the BBIL Covid-19 vaccine candidate are scheduled to start this month.