FOR FOUNDER and MD Suchitra Ella and her husband and founder-chairman Krishna Ella, the biggest challenge was when Covid struck and Bharat Biotech International Ltd. (BBIL) took up the task of developing India’s first indigenous vaccine. “We had to work round the clock in labs and at home to meet deadlines —unsure of success or failure as the virus was new, and there was no technology to model. Then the challenge was to make two billion doses in no time,” says Suchitra Ella.
Developing India’s first Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, and the world’s first nasal vaccine iNCOVACC against the same virus has richly rewarded the company. Revenues jumped from ₹1,800 crore to over ₹10,000 crore in FY23. Covid-19 products have been discontinued and BBIL is refurbishing its manufacturing units for newer vaccines. It is close to launching vaccines against tuberculosis and cholera. Three-four vaccines are also under development against Malaria, chikungunya and zika. — P.B. Jayakumar