Neovantage Innovation Parks hosts Telangana State’s discussion on the COVID-19 Vaccine Race

Neovantage Innovation Parks, India’s largest life sciences real estate provider, hosted an important and timely discussion on ‘The Vaccine Race – Balancing Science and Urgency’ organized by the state government of Telangana on 4^th August 2020. The event saw participation from Telangana’s Industries Minister Shri KT Rama Rao, World Health Organization chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Bharat Biotech International Limited’s Chairman and Managing Director Dr Krishna Ella, Biological E’s Managing Director Ms. Mahima Datla and Indian Immunologicals Limited’s Managing Director Mr. Anand Kumar.

Bharat Biotech, Biologial E and Indian Immunologicals Limited are amongst India’s largest vaccine manufacturers and are working towards development of a vaccine for COVID-19.

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Shri KT Rama Rao expressed confidence in Telangana’s ability to provide the world’s first vaccine for COVID-19. The minister indicated that this is an opportunity for Hyderabad and particularly Genome Valley, India’s largest life sciences research cluster, to fortify its position as a global force in the world of pharmaceuticals. He pointed to Genome Valley and Hyderabad’s leadership position in the development of vaccines with one-third of global vaccines being produced in the cluster.

Minister Rama Rao assured the industry participants of the state government’s intent to push for decentralization, increased funding, and flexible regulations, and reaching out to the central government with these proposals. Vaccine manufacturers in the discussion pointed to the need for a strategy focused on conducting more tests, distribution, administration, and clinical monitoring of the vaccine. Agreeing with the experts and the vaccine manufacturers, he reiterated the need for stakeholders including the State governments and the vaccine manufacturers to work together in this regard.

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Based on the discussion held at Building 2700 of Neovantage Innovation Parks, Shri KT Rama Rao expressed confidence in the discovery of a vaccine but indicated that the discovery may take longer than expected. Complementing the life sciences ecosystem in Genome Valley, the Minister applauded the clusters dedicated efforts towards development of a vaccine.