Bharat Biotech's Bold Leap into Cell and Gene Therapy

HYDERABAD: In a significant move, Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) is venturing into the cell and gene therapy (CGT) sector. The company is setting up a vertically integrated CGT and viral production facility at Genome Valley in Hyderabad, with an investment of $75 million (approximately Rs 648 crore). This investment will be phased over time.

The new 50,000 sq ft facility is being hailed as India's first of its kind, fully equipped for research & development, manufacturing, and quality control in the CGT space. This expansion signifies Bharat Biotech's transition from vaccine innovation to pioneering regenerative and personalized therapies. These therapies aim to enhance immune responses against diseases like cancer and deliver therapeutic proteins to patients with genetic disorders such as hemophilia and other rare diseases.

Expertise in Viral Vaccine Manufacturing Paves the Way

Dr Krishna Ella, Bharat Biotech's founder & executive chairman, emphasized the company's unique position to excel in CGT due to its extensive experience in viral vaccine manufacturing. The goal is to produce human-grade vectors at the scale and consistency required for clinical trials, making these therapies more affordable and accessible.

Raches Ella, Bharat Biotech's chief development officer, highlighted that 60% of the investment has already been deployed, with the remainder to be invested in phases. The facility aims to democratize CGT, making it accessible beyond developed nations and premier institutions. It is equipped to manufacture vaccines, lentiviruses, and adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), crucial for CGT, and is already working on a pipeline of five products, including CAR-T cell and CAR-NK cell therapies.

Collaboration and Future Prospects

Bharat Biotech is collaborating with Prof Krishanu Saha from the University of Wisconsin Madison, focusing on next-generation CAR cell therapies using AI. This partnership underscores the company's commitment to leveraging global expertise and advanced scientific discoveries to develop real-world solutions for complex diseases.