The construction activity at BE' s proposed manufacturing facility at SP Biotech Park (Hyderabad) is in full swing, and the unit is likely to be operational by the end of this year. The company is investing Rs 100 crore towards this facility.

N Eswara Reddy, vice-president- Legal, told Pharmabiz that the new facility is being designed in anticipation of approvals from WHO and US FDA, with a major thrust on exports, up to about 70 per cent. The company is planning to launch DPT and Hepatitis-B combination vaccine and H-influenza type-B vaccines. The company is also targeting to come up with DPT Polio and likes to extend its effort to roll out JE and Dengue vaccines.

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, sources informed.

Currently, BE has tie-ups with Netherlands based National Institute of Public Health and Environment and Bio Farma of Indonesia. The company has a turnover of about Rs. 150 crore. BE's Heparine, a natural anti-coagulant is said to have no substitutes. It is India's first natural biological product. It has found prominence during surgical operations, as it prevents clotting of blood. Neo- Hepatex is meant for curative purposes.

DPT, tetanus toxoid vaccines are supplied for domestic immunological needs. It manufactures anti-tetanus serum, and has been the pioneer in preventive medicine. The company has been active in the production of pediatric vaccines and other biological therapeutics. BE produces tetanus toxoid (BETT), diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (TRIPVAC). Its therapeutic segment includes cough, digestive, nutritional segment, anti-bacterial and anti-infectives, anti-anemic, anti-ulcers, anti-inflammatory, biological bio-therapeutics, immuno therapeutics etc. It has built brands such as Coscopin, Bethadoxin and Bestozime in the therapeutic segment. Over the past decade, BE has supplied over 120 crore doses of vaccines to meet immunization needs of the country.

BE was the first company to address the need for immunization of children and there would be no child at least in South India who would not have got immunized through BE' s vaccines, he said. The company's plans to foray into biotech sector by setting up the new facility has come at the right time with the sector witnessing about 20 per cent growth rate every year, Reddy added.