Bharat Biotech, Serum arm tie up for oral polio vaccines

Vaccine manufacturer Bharat Biotech and Bilthoven Biologicals, a subsidiary of Serum Institute of India, on Tuesday announced a partnership to produce and supply oral polio vaccines (OPVS) worldwide.

In this agreement, Bharat Biotech will source drug substances from Bilthoven Biologicals for manufacturing oral polio vaccines, which will be distributed in India and globally. The collaboration will also involve obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals to commercially manufacture OPVS in India using the drug substances produced in the Netherlands.

Speaking on the partnership, Adar Poonawalla, chief executive officer of Serum Institute of India, said, “We are delighted to join forces with Bharat Biotech. Our vision is to eradicate polio worldwide, taking a crucial step towards reducing the impact of this deadly disease on vulnerable populations.”

Commenting on the same, Krishna Ella, executive chairman of Bharat Biotech said, “Oral polio vaccines have been an integral part of the Government of India’s Universal Immunisation Programme. This collaboration between Bharat Biotech and Bilthoven Biologicals exemplifies cooperation between vaccine companies, ensuring a secure supply of oral polio vaccines and fortifies the nation’s mission to eradicate polio.”

Bharat Biotech is a biotech company based in India and is a global supplier of vaccines and biotherapeutics. The company has manufactured and supplied over nine billion vaccine doses globally.

Established in 1966, Serum Institute of India is a global leader in vaccine production. Bilthoven Biologicals was established after the privatisation of NVI (Netherlands). Bilthoven Biologicals was acquired by the Cyrus Poonawalla Group in 2012. This acquisition provided Serum Institute with access to technology and expertise for making injectable polio vaccines.

“OUR VISION IS TO ERADICATE POLIO WORLDWIDE, TAKING A CRUCIAL STEP TOWARDS REDUCING THE IMPACT OF THIS DEADLY DISEASE ON VULNERABLE POPULATIONS” ADAR POONAWALLA, CEO, Serum Institute of India