Bharat Biotech set to acquire Chiron Behring Vaccines from GSK

Hyderabad: Bharat Biotech has announced the forthcoming acquisition of Chiron Behring Vaccines, located in Ankleshwar, Gujarat from GlaxoSmithKline Asia. The company will acquire 100 percent equity stake in Chiron Behring Vaccines in an all cash transaction, subject to a number of closing conditions which Bharat Biotech and GSK intend to complete in the coming weeks.

Chiron Behring Vaccines was formed as a result of the purchase of the vaccines business of Hoechst AG by Chiron Corporation USA. It is one of the largest manufacturers of high quality rabies vaccines in the world. Chiron Behring Vaccines is a WHO Pre-qualified manufacturer of rabies vaccines, eligible for supplies to UN agencies and has product registrations in more than 20 countries. The rabies vaccine manufactured at Ankleshwar is a result of decades of research and product development..

Bharat Biotech has a wide portfolio of vaccines, with market access to more than 70 countries. The addition of this rabies vaccine will establish Bharat Biotech as a global leader in rabies vaccines manufacturing. Bharat Biotech plans to enhance upon the manufacturing capabilities at Chiron Behring Vaccines and expand market access through product registrations in additional high demand countries.

Announcing the deal, Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, said: “This acquisition is strategic in helping us enhance our opportunities to achieve greater scale in tackling public health problems. Bharat Biotech will strengthen its product portfolio and substantially increase product availability in response to the growing demand for this vaccine.” He added further: “With the significant disease burden of rabies in India and other countries, I appreciate GSK’s vision in this transition to Bharat Biotech, to continue to meet the needs of the patients.”

According to WHO report, rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease claiming the lives of over 55,000 people each year, mostly in Asia and Africa. India accounts for 36 percent of the world’s rabies deaths.”