Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary visited the manufacturing unit of Bilthoven Biologicals, a global pharmaceutical company, located in Utrecht, Netherlands. The visit was aimed at facilitating collaboration on pandemic preparedness and vaccine production between India and the European Union.

Chandra engaged in discussions with Bilthoven Biologicals' CEO, Juergen Kwik, and the CEO of Poonawalla Science Park (PSP) at Bilthoven, Jef De Clercq. The focus centered on enhancing partnership and cooperation in the production of vaccines, addressing critical issues related to pandemic preparedness.

During the visit, Chandra had the opportunity to meet with senior management and receive a comprehensive briefing on the various manufacturing units housed within the facility. A detailed presentation on Bilthoven Biologicals' future manufacturing plans was also delivered, shedding light on the company's strategic objectives in the pharmaceutical domain.

Bilthoven Biologicals, renowned for its expertise in bioengineering and vaccine production, specializes in manufacturing pharmaceutical products such as vaccines for polio, diphtheria-tetanus-polio, tetanus, and bacillus calmette-guerin (BCG).

The acquisition of Bilthoven Biologicals by Serum India Ltd. in 2012 has significantly strengthened the company's vaccine production capacity while establishing a robust manufacturing base in Europe. The recent collaboration between Serum and Bharat Biotech further emphasizes the commitment to enhancing vaccine production capabilities.

Under the agreement between Bharat Biotech and Bilthoven Biologicals B.V., a wholly-owned arm of Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech will procure drug substances for manufacturing oral polio vaccines (OPV) to be distributed within India and globally. This collaboration aims to ensure the supply security of oral polio vaccines, with Bilthoven Biologicals' capacity to manufacture OPV now increased to 500 million doses annually.

Highlighting the importance of vaccine initiatives, particularly in India, the Union Health Ministry's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) remains a key intervention for safeguarding children from life-threatening conditions through vaccination, including polio vaccines. While India achieved polio-free certification in March 2014, maintaining this status requires a sustained supply of OPV, a need that the partnership between BBIL and Serum aims to address effectively.