Chairperson: Anuradha Desai

Triple Jumper

Venkateshwara Hatcheries has registered a growth of over 100 percent in 2004-05 from its poultry vaccines

I t was raining vaccines in the poultry sector last year. What better evidence than the 100 percent growth recorded by the country's leading poultry vaccine maker, Ventri Biologicals. It is the vaccines division of the Venkateshwara Hatcheries (VH) Pvt Ltd, the flagship company of VH Group that was founded in 1971. It is the first Indian company to embark on a process of developing the poultry industry on scientific lines.

It has registered a three-digit growth of over 100 percent in 2004-05 from its poultry vaccines against sales of Rs 88 crore in 2003-04. Its vaccine turnover including AHP has reached Rs 188 crore for the year ended on March 31, 2005. It includes 15 percent exports (accounts Rs 27.9 crore) and five percent of internal sales (accounts 9.3 crore). It is expecting its sales to reach Rs 250 crore in 2005-06.

Backed by extensive and modern research and development facilities, Ventri Biologicals is constantly engaged in developing new generation vaccines, to combat emerging bacterial and viral diseases. It aims at providing better solutions for poultry health by manufacturing vaccines using state-of-the-art technology and sophisticated Research and Development facilities. It works in close association with Poultry Diagnostic and Research Centre (PDRC).

Ventri Biologicals produces live and inactivated viral vaccines using complex cell culture and egg adapted technology with highly immunogenic vaccine virus strains in sterile atmosphere, using Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) eggs. Its vaccines conform the standards set by British Pharmacopeia and other international organizations. It produces over 10 million eggs per annum. For bacterial inactivated vaccines it has adopted the most advanced programmed biofermentation technology. Ventri Biologicals provides a wide range of 32 poultry vaccines, some of which have been introduced for the first time as solutions to the ongoing problems of the Indian poultry industry.

To emerge as a multiple country operator in vaccines, it is now looking at establishing manufacturing facilities in South Africa and South East Asia. For this it has earmarked Rs 200 crore. At present it is in talks with possible partners and a decision on the overseas operations should happen by next year.

The leading poultry vaccine manufacturer is entering manufacturing of human vaccines. Hence came up a new entity called BV Biologicals. The team at BV Biologicals is now working on human vaccines for ailments that afflict a majority of the common populace. Common cold and cough, arthritis and pneumonia are some of the vaccines that will hit the market in the next 18-19 months. This unit at Hinjewadi Biotech Park near Pune is nearing completion. VH Group is investing Rs 60 crore in the first two years and another Rs 120 crore in the following two years.

It has also entered into a tie-up with a US-based company for bio-diagnostics and bio generic products. The aim is to bring in certain new molecules for diseases such as cancer. It is also investing in new vaccines and bio therapeutics for child and adult immunization. There are plans to enter the protein drug sector as well.

Besides poultry vaccines and medicines, the VH Group produces a range of feed additives, animal health products, poultry feeds and SPF eggs which are a vital ingredient in the manufacture of poultry vaccines of international standards.

It was the first Indian company embark on a process of developing the poultry industry on scientific lines. It pioneered the concept of parent franchisee operations, popularized cage farming, and introduced the concept of inactivated vaccines and combination vaccines.