Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute Join Forces in Global Fight Against Polio – A Game-Changing Collaboration for Eradication Efforts
Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India join forces to combat polio globally
In a significant move towards eradicating polio worldwide, Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India have come together in a collaborative effort. This partnership aims to enhance the production and supply security of Oral Polio Vaccines (OPV) as part of the ongoing fight against polio.
The agreement between the two renowned pharmaceutical companies involves working together on obtaining joint regulatory approvals and commercial manufacturing of OPVs in India. Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman, and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, emphasized the crucial role of OPVs in the global mission to eradicate polio.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, expressed unwavering dedication to the cause of eliminating polio worldwide through the combined efforts of both companies. The collaboration extends to include Bilthoven Biologicals B.V., a move aimed at producing oral polio vaccines within India.
With joint regulatory approvals and licenses for manufacturing OPVs for both domestic and global markets, this partnership holds the promise of significantly boosting the production and supply security of OPVs in the quest for a polio-free world. Bharat Biotech, with a production capacity of 500 million doses of oral vaccines annually, and Serum Institute of India, in collaboration with Bilthoven Biologicals, with a manufacturing capacity of over 20 million vaccine doses per year, are set to make a substantial impact on global polio eradication efforts.
The collaboration is not just limited to OPVs. Bilthoven Biologicals, which was acquired in 2012 for its technology in producing Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), adds another dimension to the partnership. This move marks a remarkable shift from past differences between the two companies, underscoring a shared focus on joint endeavors in the battle against polio through the production and distribution of vital vaccines.
With Bharat Biotech’s WHO pre-qualified OPV, Biopolio, playing a crucial role in supporting polio eradication initiatives, and the collective expertise and resources of all three entities coming together, the collaboration is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the global fight against polio.
