HYDERABAD: Envoys of 64 countries visited the Genome Valley of Hyderabad’s Biological E Limited and Bharat Biotech limited, the two premier industrial units at the forefront of vaccine manufacturing in India. The visit was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to familiarise the foreign ambassadors and high commissioners about some key research and development activities being taken up by the country.
The high-level contingent was divided into two batches—the first batch was taken to Bharat Biotech Ltd, while the second batch went around Biological E Limited. Later, the second batch which earlier visited Bharat biotech Ltd was taken around Biological E limited. Similarly, the team which visited Biological E limited was later taken to Bharat Biotech.
Welcoming the high-profile dignitaries, Chief Secretary of Telangana Somesh Kumar said that Telangana, though the youngest state in the country, has achieved tremendous progress. He said, “Hyderabad is the vaccine hub of not only India, but the entire world with 33% of the entire vaccine production being done in the city.”
On the occasion, Principal Secretary Industries and IT Jayesh Ranjan made a power point presentation and showcased the investment potential of the state to the visiting dignitaries.
The delegates interacted with the teams of Bharat Biotech and Biological E and extensively discussed the manufacturing of Covid vaccines. The project update on vaccine was presented to the delegates by Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech.
Speaking on the occasion, Suchitra Ella, Joint Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, added, “The development and clinical evaluation of Covaxin marks a significant milestone for novel vaccinology in India. Covaxin has garnered interest from several countries worldwide for supplies and introduction. It is an honour to have with us today all the distinguished ambassadors of various countries. It not only makes us proud, but also reminds us that the world is looking up to India in the common fight against the deadly pandemic.”
Biological E last month initiated clinical trial of its Covid-19 subunit vaccine candidate in India following approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI). It is making the vaccine in collaboration with Dynavax Technologies Corporation (Dynavax), a US-based vaccine-focused biopharmaceutical company, and Baylor College of Medicine, a heal