The Hyderabad based Biological Evans (BE) as part of its foray into biotech sector, is investing Rs. 100 crore to set up an R&D and manufacturing unit, which is to come up in an area of 50 acres at Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech Park. The unit is likely to be operational by December 2004. The project will be funded through internal accruals and loans from financial institutions.

The new facility is being designed in anticipation of approvals from WHO and US FDA, with a major thrust on exports. The company is planning to launch DPT and hepatitis-B combination vaccine and H-influenza type-B vaccine by the end of 2004, Mahima Datla, VP, Strategic Business Development, BE, said.

The combination vaccines are going to result in significant savings for the government in terms of logistics and better management of cold chain. The company patented a haematinic formulation, which is going through clinical trials. The new facility is expected to increase BE's production capacity from current 100 million dosages per annum to 200 million dosages per annum. Vaccines account for 30 per cent, while niche bulk drugs contribute for around 15 per cent and the rest is contributed by formulations. The company is aiming at doubling its turnover by the year 2005.