New Delhi (NVI): A team of 64 Heads of Missions today visited leading biotech firms in Hyderabad like Bharat Biotech and Biological E developing Covid-19 vaccines.
The tour was organized in cooperation with the Department of Bio-Technology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
“The group visited the research and manufacturing facilities of the leading biotechnology companies, Bharat Biotech and Biological E. The participants were briefed on India’s indigenous efforts to develop COVID-19 vaccines, including ongoing clinical trials. India’s R&D facilities, manufacturing capacity, foreign collaborations, etc. in the fields of pharmaceuticals, including vaccine production, were highlighted,” MEA said in a release.
This is the first of its kind visit by foreign ambassadors to biotech firms in Hyderabad.
“In a first, a visit of more than 60 Heads of Missions was arranged to the research and manufacturing facilities of the leading biotechnology companies, Bharat Biotech and Biological E, in Hyderabad,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava tweeted earlier in the day while sharing photos of the visiting team.
In a first, a visit of more than 60 Heads of Missions was arranged to the research and manufacturing facilities of the leading biotechnology companies, Bharat Biotech and Biological E, in Hyderabad. pic.twitter.com/IaeOPDurlW
— Anurag Srivastava (@MEAIndia) December 9, 2020
The visit is in continuation of the COVID-19 briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs on November 6.
“As the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, India will contribute significantly to global efforts for producing COVID-19 vaccines. India is committed to partnering with all interested countries in vaccine-related efforts, in the service of humanity,” the MEA statement read.
On November 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had virtual meetings with teams from Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd Pune, Biological E Ltd Hyderabad and Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd Hyderabad. The three teams are working on developing and manufacturing vaccine for COVID-19.
Before that, he had also visited the Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad and Serum Institute of India in Pune on November 28 to conduct an extensive review of the vaccine development and manufacturing process.
Notably, Astra Zeneca and Pfizer have already applied for emergency use approval in India. Six vaccines, including Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Astra Zeneca’s Covidshield, are in trial stages.
On December 4, at an all-party meeting, PM Modi had said that as per experts, a vaccine is expected to be ready in the next few weeks.
-ARK
