Govt inks pact with NDDB to set up Anthrax, ENT vaccine unit in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today signed an agreement with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) for establishment of a facility for production of Anthrax and ENT vaccines in the state.

The MoU was signed by Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Director Ramashis Hazra and NDDB General Manager Sunil Sinha in the presence of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain at Krushi Bhawan in the capital city here.

As per the agreement, a GMP compatible facility will be set up at Odisha Biological Products Institute (OBPI) in Berhampur with an investment of Rs 52.20 crore for production of anthrax and ENT vaccines in Odisha.

“The establishment of this GMP compatible laboratory will make our state self-sufficient in production of anthrax and enterotoxaemia vaccines. We can supply vaccines to other states after meeting our own requirements,” said the Minister.

At present, the existing satellite unit of OBPI in Berhampur is producing 22 lakh doses of Anthrax Spore Vaccine (ASV) and 14 lakh doses of Enterotoxaemia Vaccine (ENTV) annually in conventional method, he added.

The Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) laboratory will comply with WHO norms and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 of India. With the setting up of the new laboratory, Odisha can produce 2 crore doses of ENTV and 50 lakh doses of ASV in a year, said the Minister.

The construction work of the laboratory will be completed within 36 months, he added.