Hyderabad Is World's Vaccine Capital: KTR

Telangana IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao today announced that the state capital, Hyderabad, was fast emerging as a world vaccine hub, and that this had been proven to be true especially amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 18th edition of the BioAsia Conference at ITC Kakatiya, he said that the scientists and entrepreneurs of the state had contributed much to the development of Telangana's life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors.

On the occasion, the minister also presented Bharat Biotech head Krishna Ella and deputy chief Suchitra Ella with awards for their contribution to the development of the indigenous anti-Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin.

Expressing his appreciation for them, he said, "Their contribution to the development of India’s first indigenous vaccine for Covid-19 has equipped many across the world to take steps to curb the spread of the fatal virus. In fact, the efforts of the scientists and entrepreneurs of Telangana's life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors have not only helped India but the rest of the world fight the pandemic as well. It is due to their efforts that Hyderabad is today looked at as the vaccine capital of the world."

"Apart from Bharat Biotech, Hetero Pharma and Dr Reddy’s Labs are also helping the world in its crusade against the coronavirus, as they are augmenting the global supply of vaccines by manufacturing and distributing Sputnik, the Russian anti-Covid-19 vaccine. Aurobindo Pharma too is building a state-of-the-art vaccine manufacturing unit. Further, the life sciences sector has brought development to the state in several ways - it has attracted about Rs 3,700 crore worth of investments and has generated employment for about 14,000 people in the last year alone. To bolster these efforts and to strengthen the bio-pharma sector, our government will soon launch a medical devices park in Genome Valley," KTR added.

He stated that the two-day BioAsia conference would be used to deliberate over the ways in which the sector could be further boosted.

The minister also promised to extend all the support required by pharmaceutical and medical companies to increase their production capabilities and expand their businesses, while also ensuring that the growth of the same proceeded in a sustainable fashion.

"The Telangana government is committed to generating business worth $1000 billion for the state's bio-pharma and life sciences sectors. We will focus on supporting research and development to push growth in both the sectors," Rao claimed.

The high-profile conclave is being hosted by Dr Reddy’s Labs and Novartis with Aurobindo Pharma, Hetero and Laurus Labs serving as industry co-hosts. The event is also being endorsed by Sai Life Sciences, GVK Bio Sciences, Bharat Biotech, Cytiva, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Virchow Biotech, US Pharmacopeia, MN Park, Bharat Serums and Vaccines, K Raheja and Biological E.

At least 30,000 life sciences professionals from across the globe are reportedly participating in the two-day program.