Bharat Biotech, the Indian vaccine manufacturer known for its immunization products, has expanded its portfolio by investing $75 million in a state-of-the-art Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) facility in Telangana, India. The company announced on Thursday that it expects to launch its first CGT products by 2028, marking a significant shift in its business strategy.
The 50,000-square-foot facility, located in Genome Valley, Hyderabad, represents the first integrated Cell and Gene Therapy Facility and Viral Vector Production Unit in India. According to company officials, the facility will be operational within the next three months.
Strategic Expansion Beyond Vaccines
This strategic investment signals Bharat Biotech's diversification from its traditional vaccine business into the rapidly growing field of cell and gene therapies. The global CGT market is projected to expand dramatically, with market research firm Precedence Research estimating growth from $21.28 billion in 2024 to $117.46 billion by 2034.
Dr. Raches Ella, Chief Development Officer at Bharat Biotech, revealed during a media interaction that the company is currently working on two cell therapies and three gene therapies. The primary focus will be on developing treatments for oncology and rare diseases, particularly hematological malignancies and inherited blood disorders.
"These therapies require precise genetic manipulation and specialized manufacturing capabilities," explained Dr. Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech. "With our extensive experience in viral vaccine production, Bharat Biotech is uniquely positioned to master these complexities and deliver human-grade vectors for clinical trials."
Addressing Treatment Accessibility
Cell and gene therapies represent highly advanced treatment modalities where modified healthy cells or genes are introduced into a patient's body to treat various conditions. These therapies are particularly valuable for treating genetic disorders, complex cancer cases, and autoimmune diseases.
A significant challenge with these advanced therapies is their typically high cost. Recognizing India's price-sensitive healthcare market, Bharat Biotech is working to develop more affordable options.
"I think in the Indian market the treatment is priced at about 5 million rupees ($57,900)... we're trying to get something below that," stated Dr. Raches Ella. The company is also exploring opportunities to export these therapies to international markets.
Technical Approach and Manufacturing Strategy
Bharat Biotech plans to leverage its expertise in viral vaccine manufacturing to overcome the technical challenges associated with CGT production. The company will focus more heavily on gene therapies, which can be manufactured in larger batches for wider population use, rather than cell therapies that typically require customized production for individual patients.
The facility will drive innovation in targeted gene expression, immune modulation, and cell survival. Specifically, Bharat Biotech aims to enhance immune responses against cancer and develop methods to safely deliver therapeutic proteins for genetic disorders like hemophilia.
India's Position in Advanced Therapeutics
India remains in the nascent stages of cell and gene therapy development compared to global peers, with limited adoption of these advanced treatments. Bharat Biotech's investment represents a significant step toward establishing India as a player in the CGT field.
The company's move into regenerative and personalized therapies offers new hope for millions of patients with conditions that have limited treatment options. By strengthening domestic capabilities in this sector, Bharat Biotech aims to enhance India's role in treating rare diseases and advancing personalized medicine.
The company has indicated that additional investments may be forthcoming as the CGT program develops, reinforcing its commitment to this emerging therapeutic area.
