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Gujarat will play key role in production of Covaxin: CM Mr. Vijaybhai Rupani

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GBRC, with two others, signs MoU with Bharat Biotech for production of drug substances required for Covaxin in Gujarat.

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Ahmedabad: Gujarat Government’s ‘Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre’ (GBRC) will play a pivotal role in meeting the vaccine demand of Gujarat and the entire nation. Under the constant counselling and guidance  of Chief  Minister Mr. Vijaybhai Rupani, the GBRC today jointly along with The Hester Biosciences Limited and The OmniBRx Technologies Private Limited signed a MoU with The Bharat Biotech Limited for production of necessary drug substances for vaccine in Gujarat.

The Chief Minister categorically stated that Gujarat will make vital contribution in production and distribution of vaccines in India by manufacturing the pivotal drug substances for producing Covaxin in the state. For the entire process the Government of India has given its support with full cooperation. Not only this, the Government of India’s Biotechnologies Department has played a key-role in simplifying this entire procedure.

The production of vaccine is a very complex and lengthy process and that is why it is done in controlled quantities. Mr. Rupani said that if everything goes as per the plan, than from August 2021, 20 million vaccine doses per month will be produced in Gujarat.

It is imperative to increase the production of vaccination technology when vaccination is the only way to protect against the corona virus. This MoU of the GBRC will significantly increase the wholesale production of drug substances in Gujarat. As a result, vaccine production will increase and become available to the citizens of Gujarat and India.

The GBRC, an autonomous body of the Science and Technology Department of the Government of Gujarat, is playing a vital role as a guide, consultant and collaborator for the technology transfer of Bharat Biotic Limited. While Hester Biosciences Ltd. will set up a Bio-safety Level-3 laboratory suitable for the production of drug substances useful for Covaxin, it will also obtain the necessary regulatory approvals. While Omnibrx will act as a technology supporter.

At present, the GBRC and Gujarat Government are playing the roles of mentor and collaborator. The Government of Gujarat will not provide financial assistance to any company or manufacturer, but may enter into an agreement with Bharat Biotech Ltd. at the time of production to purchase the required quantity of vaccine.

It is worth mentioning here that the GBRC has done various researches regarding the Corona virus. The institute had launched the Genome Sequencing Project for the origin, evolution, efficacy, potential targeting of the drug and the development of vaccines for the corona virus and became the second Indian lab to complete Genome Sequencing in April 2020. The institute has so far produced more than 1100 SARS Covid Genome Sequences. With the recommendation of the Ministry of AYUSH, the institute has conducted research on the Insilico efficacy in Covid for more than 200 Ayurvedic herbs. Not only this, thanks to the far-sighted approach of the Chief Minister and Gujarat Government, the GBRC has also signed MoU with Hester Biosciences Pvt. Limited, Supratech Laboratory and Vekaria Healthcare for developing vaccine and diagnostics for Covid-19.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat