HLL Lifecare's plans for the development of an integrated vaccine production facility and a medical equipment manufacturing park at Chengalpattu near Chennai has been revised and modified on account of the decision of the Union Health Ministry's plan to revive the age old public sector vaccine units, according to E A Subramanian, general manager (projects), HLL Lifecare Ltd.

He said the project is still under government's consideration and the process of realization is going on.

"We have revised the project plan. Earlier it was a project of Rs 900 crore. Now it has been revised to Rs 575 crore. The emphasis will be for the production of new generation vaccines and there won't be any conflict with industries. There are three stages for the development of the project. The plan for formulation will be realized in 18 months and the complete set up of the project will become operational in full capacity in another three years," Subramanian told Pharmabiz.

HLL Lifecare Ltd, previously know as Hindustan Latex Ltd, is the agency identified by the Union Health Ministry to develop the multi-purpose medical park in Chengalpattu. The health ministry has granted approval to the company to go ahead with the developmental plan. But, he said, they are waiting for government's nod to call for tenders and it is still uncertain how much fund the government is going to earmark for the developmental work.

As per the revised plan, HLL Lifecare will establish a 100 acre vaccine complex and a 330 acre medi-park at the site where the company has already acquired the physical possession of the land. According to the GM, the upcoming vaccine complex in the site will become a manufacturing centre of new generation vaccines including those for Hepatitis B, Measles, JE..etc. He said even though there are private players in the market for these vaccines, there will be no conflict with industries in the case of manufacturing or marketing the products.

Regarding revival of CRI Kasauli, Subramanian said HLL is the Project Management Consultant for the revival of the institute and for Design and Engineering HLL has engaged Copenhagen-based NNE Pharma as consultant for the project. According to him, the physical developments in and around CRI will be completed by June and the Unit will be functional in September this year.

In the case of Pasteur Institute of India in Coonoor, an expert team from HLL had visited there a few months ago and a report was submitted to the ministry. For its revival more procedures have to be followed, EA Subramanian said.