Rank 17

Polio vaccine makes the difference

The production of OPV doses is under full swing at Haffkine, where 390-400 million doses were manufactured and supplied to various agencies last year. Haffkine has had a major role in supplying oral polio vaccine for the last 38 years. While vaccines fetched the bulk of the revenues, other biological therapeutics also contributed to the total bioscience revenues of `253.41 crore. A senior official commented that their ability to meet the demand of supplying OPV doses promptly has been the company's strong suit and helped it be on an upward curve of growth over the last few years.
Haffkine Biopharmaceuticals has a long history of indigenously manufacturing biological products. It was established in 1975 as a Government of Maharashtra undertaking to produce life saving vaccines, antisera and pharmaceuticals. Since then, the company has come a long way and also set up a GMP facility that is prequalified by World Health Organization for supply to United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). It was one of the first public sector vaccine-manufacturing units to get a WHO accreditation for a trivalent OPV almost seven years ago.
Haffkine Biopharma has three facilities in Maharashtra for different products. The expansion and modernization of these sites is an ongoing process, quipped a company official. Located n the heart of the city, amidst various central and state research institutes and hospitals, the Mumbai facility manufactures the oral polio vaccine as well as the DPT vaccine. Currently the production facilities for the DPT vaccine are undergoing a modernization exercise. Another facility at Jalgaon produces beta lactam products and oral rehydration salts. Haffkine remains one of the few companies that produces life saving products such as antisera and antivenoms. These are manufactured in Pimpri where about 400 equines are also maintained to produce various antisera. Haffkine is also the only manufacturer of scorpion venom antiserum in the country.
Over the last year, the company also boosted its exports to other ASEAN, African and Latin American countries.

Company: Haffkine Biopharmaceuticals
Business: Vaccines, antisera, pharmaceuticals
Revenue: 2013 `253.41 crore