Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope yesterday inaugurated a Research and Development (R&D) centre at Airoli that is built by Bharat Serums and Vaccines (BSV). Others present during the inauguration were Sanjiv Navangul, MD and CEO, BSV; Vishwanath Swarup, COO, India Business and Dr Jaby Jacob, Head, R&D, BSV notified via a statement.
The statement said that the R&D centre will endeavour to bring scientifically-advanced biological, biotechnology products and novel drug delivery systems that deliver better patient outcomes in women’s health, assisted reproductive technology and critical care and emergency medicines.
Speaking at the occasion, Tope said, “Today, more than ever, Maharashtra is focussed at driving scientific research and innovation that aims to address the healthcare needs of our people……The collaboration demonstrated by BSV during the pandemic, with the manufacturing of Liposomal Amphotericin B, has helped in saving lives and managing the pandemic. It is also encouraging to hear of BSV’s ongoing COVID-19 antibody development that will prepare us to fight the future COVID waves…”
Adding to it, Navangul said, “Maharashtra accounts for 1,00,000 Rh-negative pregnant mothers annually, of which, 40,000 have benefitted from BSV’s Anti-Rho (D) immunoglobulin product. Going ahead, we are hopeful that we will be able to bridge the gap and partner with the Maharashtra government to expand access and serve more needy Rh-negative mothers across our state. The scientists at BSV have worked tirelessly towards developing Liposomal Amphotericin B for battling Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) during the second wave of COVID-19 and we were able to manufacture close to 24,00,000 vials annualised capacity, at our world-class manufacturing facility at Ambernath to support Maharashtra and the rest of India, in our fight against Black Fungus. BSV’s ongoing COVID-19 antibody development phase-I trial demonstrates our commitment towards delivering probable solutions that can have a positive impact in combating the disease.”
BSV’s Anti-Rho (D) immunoglobulin product is the world’s first marketed recombinant Anti-D with patents in India, the US, Europe, Australia and Canada. We are the only Indian company to have developed the immunosuppressive Anti-thymocyte globulin and deliver treatments for Neglected Tropical Diseases (snakebites, rabies) that predominantly affect vulnerable populations of India living in rural and remote locations, he further informed.