Bharat Biotech International, which is into manufacturing vaccines and biotherapeutics, has earmarked Rs 325 crore investments towards clinical research of new vaccines and therapeutics. Out of this,

Rs 75 crore will be invested towards setting up of a new manufacturing facility in Hyderabad for the clinical trials of new vaccines.

Krishna M Ella, chairman & MD of Bharat Biotech International said, “We have mobilised Rs 250 crore for clinical research. We will be injecting 30 per cent of our revenues, which at present stands at Rs 250 crore, towards clinical research and R&D. We will also get some grants from international agencies and department of biotechnology.” The funds will be invested over two years. ICICI Venture and IFC hold 20 per cent stake in the company, however there are no plans of raising funds through equity dilution for now.

Bharat Biotech is undertaking clinical research of vaccines such as Typhoid Conjugate, Chikungunya, Malaria, Rotavirus, JE vaccine, THR-100 and H1N1. The company has filed for global patent for these vaccines except JE vaccine. “Out of these seven vaccines, Typhoid Conjugate and JE vaccine is expected to hit the market next year,” added Ella.

The new manufacturing facility in Hyderabad is likely to become operational by year-end. The company will be raising Rs 75 crore through debt for development of the manufacturing facility. Bharat Biotech is also setting up a manufacturing plant for development of animal vaccines in Bangalore. The company is investing Rs 100 crore towards this plant, however, Ella declined to provide details. It is also in the process of setting up a Biotech park spread over 50 acres in Orissa.