IIL commits INR 150 crore to build new viral antigen manufacturing plant, inauguration of sterile filing facility

Hyderabad: Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL), a leading biologicals company, announced the ground-breaking of a new viral antigen manufacturing facility in Phase III of Genome Valley, Karkapatla, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana. With this investment of INR 75 crores in the upcoming facility, Indian Immunologicals Limited expects to increase its capacity to supply additional quantities of high-quality and safe vaccines. The new facility will be specially designed as a multiproduct facility and to cater to the need for viral vaccines in the pipeline that includes Dengue, Zika and Varicella.

The senior management of the company including Dr. K Anand Kumar, Managing Director and Dr. Prasanna Deshpande, Deputy Managing Director were present during the ground-breaking of the upcoming viral antigen plant. Spread across 2,000 square meters, the state-of-the-art new plant will be designed with the latest biosafety – Bio Safety Level 3 suite and will complement Indian Immunologicals’ existing operation adding more equipped and high-speed production.  The company also plans to utilize the cutting-edge facility to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines post completion of its R&D with Griffith University, Australia.

The Company also inaugurated a new Sterile Filling Facility that was commissioned last year at an additional investment of INR 75 crores. This facility will increase IIL’s capacity to supply lifesaving vaccines such as the Anti Rabies Vaccine (ARV) – Abhayrab™. As a part of the expansion plan, Indian Immunologicals Limited will add over 150 new positions, bringing its total staff strength close to 1,500. The new facility will boost the production capacity by over 35% and increase the supply capacity to key markets where rabies vaccine is critically needed.

Dr. K Anand Kumar, Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals Limited said, “We are optimistic about the strategic investment as India is one of the key growth markets. As we mark as one of the major players on the pediatric and rabies vaccine, this expansion of our manufacturing facility is our commitment to securing a healthy and sustainable future. The total investment of over INR 150 crores in in the same direction of our vision to increase the production capacities to ensure a reliable and affordable supply of high-quality vaccines to larger communities. We also ensure that our products are manufactured to the most rigorous of safety and quality standards.”

“Our new facility is spread across 2000 square meters and is very well equipped for world-class GMP production of Biosafety level 2 and 3 vaccines (BSL-2 and BSL-3). This facility has been specially designed to cater to the need for various viral vaccines and it will boost our manufacturing capacity by 35%. The new plant is expected to be ready for operation by October 2021,” added Dr. Prasanna Deshpande, Deputy Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals Limited.

IIL has 4 manufacturing facilities at various locations – Karkapatla, Telangana – Human Vaccines & Animal Health Formulations; Ooty, Tamil Nadu – Anti Rabies production unit; Hyderabad, Telangana – Human Biologicals Unit (Gachibowli) and animal vaccines unit; Dargaville, New Zealand – New Bovine Serum. IIL exports various Human and animal vaccines to over 50 countries and currently employs around 1,300 people.