Indian Immunologicals is considering to establish manufacturing facilities veterinary biologicals in overseas markets particularly in Latin America to gain some market share in this segment. Currently the company is working on establishing marketing arrangements with leading international players in this segment.

According to KV Balasubramaniam, managing director Indian Immunologicals, global market for veterinary biologicals is estimated at US $2 billion.

Balasubramaniam said that rabies is also a menace in other Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey. There is also considerable incidence in Latin America and Africa. IIL is putting its efforts to enter these markets too, in consistence with its vision of being a global player and a leader among exporters of biologicals from India.

IIL in association with Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore is developing new vaccines (world's first DNA Rabies Vaccine - Veterinary) and new technologies in vaccine delivery. DCGI has asked the partners to take up the multicentric trials, which IIL and IISc are hoping to complete within next 6-8 months and the vaccines can be launched in the next financial year.

IISc is looking after science part, whereas IIL is taking care of trials, and other aspects. IIL's scientists also frequently visit various international institutes of repute to update themselves with the current techniques in the vaccine production and delivery for this purpose. The partners are looking at developing human vaccines within next five years, Balasubramaniam mentioned.

He says that the biggest contribution of IIL has been so far, helping the country to develop the technology to develop veterinary vaccines and most importantly, offering them at affordable prices.

Global Human Vaccine segment is about USD 6 billion (about 2 per cent of Global Pharma market), growing at about 10 per cent per annum and is likely to be USD 10 Billion by the turn of the decade. For economic reasons, there is a decline of interest on the part of MNCs to produce and supply basic vaccines. UNICEF is finding it hard to procure adequate quantities of basic vaccines for supply to over hundred countries that depend on their supplies for UPI (Universal Programme of Immunization).

Apparently it was a challenge and an opportunity to the industry in developing countries to fill the gap. IIL felt that there is a perfect match between its mission, it's capabilities in vaccine manufacturing and the market needs. Therefore, IIL has put up a Rs.42 crore facility in Gachibouli for the production of basic vaccines viz., DPT, TT, Measles and MMR and Recombinant Hepatitis B. Dr. Abdul Kalam, president of India inaugurated the facility in October, 2003.

Balasubramaniam revealed that the company is also working on for the development of Combination Vaccines such as DPT + Hepatitis B as per the market demand. The company wishes to get WHO approval for its facilities and be a lead supplier to UNICEF programmes of immunization. There is also considerable demand for the vaccines in trade segment in those countries that are not supported by UNICEF programmes. IIL is also planning to tap this private segment, apart from UNICEF segment to be a lead player in vaccine exports.

BV Rama Subba Rao, manager, exports, said that the company is achieving sales growth up to 40 per cent every year. Revealing the status of the newly built human vaccine facility in Hyderabad, Rao said that the trial batches are on and commercial production is expected by July, this year.

Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL), a wholly owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), was established with the objective of making FMD vaccine available at affordable price to farmers. It has obtained the technology for the production of FMD from Wellcome Foundation, UK. Subsequently IIL has developed several Veterinary biologicals through its own R&D efforts.

Today, the company is a market leader in the segment in India, and operates the largest plant in the world for veterinary vaccines, and a lead supplier for Government of India's FMD Disease Free Zone (DFZ) project. IIL is working on DNA vaccine for Foot ad Mouth Disease (FMD), Balasubramaniam added.

IIL launched 'Raksharab' the first 'Indian made' tissue culture rabies vaccine in 1989 for veterinary use. It is a brand leader in Canine vaccine segment. It operates world class facilities that are certified by WHO-GMP and ISO 9002 accredited. It is a leading exporter of Veterinary Biologicals from India. The company exports its veterinary biologicals to several countries in SAARC, ASEAN, Middle East and Africa regions. IIL is also a registered FAO supplier, and will be supplying about 1.2 million doses to Afghanistan by the end of this month.