Ukraine Health Minister visits Bharat Biotech vaccine plant

The representatives from the Central Asian nation took a tour of the world-class Bio-Safety Level 3 manufacturing facility in Hyderabad

A three-member, high-power delegation from Ukraine led by the country’s Health Minister Dr Maksym Stepanov visited COVAXIN-maker Bharat Biotech’s manufacturing facility in Hyderabad. The representatives from the Central Asian nation took a tour of the world-class Bio-Safety Level 3 manufacturing facility. The delegation included Igor Ivashchenko, Deputy Minister of Health, Ukraine and Ivan Konovalov, Head of Trade and Economic Dept, Embassy of Ukraine in India. Discussions were held with Bharat Biotech’s leadership to secure the supplies of COVAXIN to Ukraine.

Dr Krishna Ella, CMD, Bharat Biotech International, said, “It was an absolute privilege to host the Minister of Health from Ukraine Dr Stepanov at our state-of-the-art facility and showcase our world-class capabilities in the manufacture and supply of vaccines and research and product development. We discussed potential timelines for the supply of COVAXIN to Ukraine on a priority and the prospects of a partnership for our BBV 154 intranasal vaccine. There is a lot of interest in COVAXIN worldwide.” 

Dr Stepanov said, “Ukraine and India have a long history of cooperation in various matters. We look forward to benefiting from India’s vast capability in the manufacture of vaccines to effectively combat the COVID-19 pandemic at home. We had a good interaction with the team at Bharat Biotech and it was a great experience to take a tour of the facility and inspect its impressive manufacturing capabilities. We will soon firm up the COVAXIN delivery plan for the mass vaccination of our people, and further strengthen our partnership on intranasal vaccine supplies after initial results from its phase 1 trials.”