Bharat Biotech Limited has signed an MoU with Gujarat Covid Vaccine Consortium (GCVC) for COVID Vaccine COVAXIN manufacturing in India.

GCVC consortium includes - Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), a Government of Gujarat undertaking; Hester Biosciences Limited; and Omnibrx Biotechnologies Private Limited towards contract manufacturing of COVID Vaccine COVAXIN.

The MoU talks about four aspects. First, Bharat Biotech will provide the technology for the production of the drug substance for COVAXIN. Second, GBRC will act as an advisor and mentor and will facilitate the technology transfer from Bharat Biotech Limited to Hester Biosciences Limited. Third, Hester shall provide the complete infrastructure at its Gujarat plant for the manufacturing of the drug substance. Fourth, Omnibrx shall act as a technology support partner.

This entire process is facilitated by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and it is expected that the drug substance would be available from August 2021 which will be supplied back to Bharat Biotech for producing COVAXIN.

"Hester Biosciences Limited is planning to invest Rs. 40 crores for COVID Vaccine project. The proposed manufacturing activity at Hester would not disturb any manufacturing or marketing forecasts of Hester’s on-going business, for the financial year 2021-22," says Rajiv Gandhi, CEO & Managing Director, Hester Biosciences Limited.