Shantha Biotech starts Rs.250-cr unit in Hyderabad

Sharath Chowdary

Shantha Biotechnics has started commercial production of its new manufacturing unit in Muppireddipalli Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Hyderabad. With an investment of over Rs.250 crore, the new facility has been built to produce and export vaccines to the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and other international markets.

The company is completely owned by Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of French pharma company Sanofi Group. Another manufacturing facility is also being set up in Hyderabad with an investment of Rs.450 crore for the production of Insuman, human insulin, used in the treatment of diabetes. This plant is expected to commence its operations next year, Varaprasad Reddy, Chairman of Shantha Biotechnics told The Dollar Business. 

He said, “The two facilities are a part of Sanofi’s investment of Rs.5,500 crore ever since it acquired Shantha Biotechnics in 2009. The new facility in Muppireddipalli SEZ has updated technology to produce vaccines that match international standards. The construction of this 19,000 sq-meter facility began in 2010. The plant received all necessary approvals and clearances from the regulatory bodies in the country and abroad including the World Health Organization (WHO).”

Elaborating on the company’s principles, Varaprasad Reddy said, “The company is committed to provide disease prevention drugs to protect the health of the people in India and all over the world. As the new plant is completely dedicated for vaccines, the company plans to produce over 10 million doses of vaccines in the first year. The number will scale up in the coming years of production. This is in tune with the government’s Make in India programme,” he added.

Mahesh Bhalgat, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Shantha Biotechnics said, “The new facility will be used in the manufacture of two important vaccines approved by WHO – Shan5 and Shanchol. Shan5 is a five-in-one vaccine for children against five diseases, while Shanchol is used as an active immunisation against cholera. The other vaccines to be manufactured in the plant include Shan-TT, Shan-IPV and Shanvac-B.”

“The company aims to develop affordable vaccines for the UNICEF and international markets. Currently, Shanchol is approved in several African and Latin American countries through UNICEF and individual approvals. The company is targeting to receive approvals from the emerging markets such as Philippines and Indonesia. We also continue to grow our exports through country specific approvals,” he informed.

Varaprasad Reddy (L) and Mahesh Bhalgat announcing the details of the new unit in Hyderabad on Tuesday.