Hyderabad: VP Jagdeep Dhankhar tours Bharat Biotech manufacturing facility

Hyderabad: Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar visited Bharat Biotech’s facilities at Genome Valley, Hyderabad, which focused on innovation, research and development, and large-scale manufacturing facilities for vaccines. The VP was accompanied by CP Radhakrishnan, Governor of the State of Telangana.

The visit commenced with a welcome from Dr Krishna Ella, executive chairman of Bharat Biotech and Suchitra Ella, co-founder and managing director of Bharat Biotech, who expressed gratitude for the vice-president’s interest in the company’s mission.

VP takes a tour of the manufacturing facility

Soon after reaching the facility, the vice president was briefed in detail about the manufacturing facility, the intricate processes involved in vaccine production, and the company’s initiatives to develop new molecules and vaccine candidates to fight neglected diseases that affect the developing world, specifically focused on malaria, cholera, tuberculosis, and chikungunya.

The VP began his tour by planting a medicinal sapling at Bharat Biotech. VP Jagdeep Dhankar admired Bharat Biotech’s dedication and resilience during unprecedented challenges and said, “I am at a place where people are driven with a passion for research, development and concern for society, Bharat Biotech has not only helped the nation fight the pandemic developing an indigenous vaccine but also contributed immensely in digital penetration.” The vice president also urged greater collaboration between industry, academia and support to back more research in all sectors.

Public health crises in focus

In his address, Dr Krishna M Ella, executive chairman of Bharat Biotech, thanked the VP for recognising Bharat Biotech’s dedication and reaffirmed the company’s continued commitment to developing novel vaccines, contributing to national self-reliance goals, and shaping a healthier future.

Suchitra Ella, MD of Bharat Biotech, highlighted the company’s commitment to public health and its over 25-year journey, as well as the efforts of its workforce. “At Bharat Biotech, we believe that every vaccine produced brings us one step closer to overcoming infectious diseases that affect public health and prevent crises,” Suchitra Ella said.

The vice president interacted with the scientists and team leaders and applauded the collective determination to develop novel vaccines and make India self-reliant.

The vice president was taken on a virtual tour, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of the production facility. From the state-of-the-art equipment to precise quality control measures, the virtual tour provided a fascinating insight into the meticulous process involved in researching and developing each vaccine dose rolled out from the facility, such as the Rotavirus Vaccine, Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine and Hepatitis Vaccine.