Bharat Biotech acquires GSK Indian arm that produces anti rabies vaccine

Hyderabad: Bharat Biotech has recently announced the forthcoming acquisition of Chiron Behring Vaccines Pvt Ltd, located in Ankleshwar, Gujarat from GlaxoSmithKline Asia.

The company will acquire 100 per cent equity stake in Chiron Behring Vaccines in an all-cash transaction. The deal is intended to complete in the coming weeks. However, the financial figures of the deal remain undisclosed.

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Chiron Behring Vaccines was formed as a result of the purchase of the vaccines business of Hoechst AG by Chiron Corporation USA. It is one of the largest manufacturers of high-quality rabies vaccines in the world.

According to the World Health Organization's report, rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease claiming the lives of over 55,000 people each year, mostly in Asia & Africa. India accounts for 36% of the world's rabies deaths.

Chiron Behring Vaccines is a WHO Pre-qualified manufacturer of rabies vaccines, eligible for supplies to UN agencies and has product registrations in more than 20 countries. The rabies vaccine manufactured at Ankleshwar is a result of decades of research & product development.

Regarding the recent acquisition, the company through a release said, "Bharat Biotech has a wide portfolio of vaccines, with market access to more than 70 countries. The addition of this rabies vaccine will establish Bharat Biotech as a global leader in rabies vaccines manufacturing."

"Bharat Biotech plans to enhance upon the manufacturing capabilities at Chiron Behring Vaccines and expand market access through product registrations in additional high demand countries," the release added.

"This acquisition is strategic in helping us enhance our opportunities to achieve greater scale in tackling public health problems. Bharat Biotech will strengthen its product portfolio and substantially increase product availability in response to the growing demand for this vaccine. With the significant disease burden of rabies in India and other countries, I appreciate GSK's vision in this transition to Bharat Biotech, to continue to meet the needs of the patients," said Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, announcing the deal.

Bharat Biotech is a clone to clinic biotechnology company focused on innovative product development, global manufacturing capabilities and internationally recognised quality management systems. It was the recipient of the National Technology Award for 2018 from the Technology Development Board, Government of India,

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