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Serum Institute of India is a manufacturer of immunobiologicals including vaccines in India. The company is managed by the Poonawalla Group. The company is one of the top vaccinemaker by volume. The company is the world’s biggest maker of measles and DTP vaccines. It is estimated that two out of every three children immunized in the world is vaccinated by a vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute. Serum produces a billion doses a year selling in about 140 countries. It is one of the world’s lowest cost producers of vaccines and had sales of $250 million and net profits of $107 million.

The Serum Institute of India was founded by Cyrus Poonawalla and his brother Zavary in 1966 with the aim of manufacturing life-saving immuno-biologicals, which were in shortage in the country and imported at high prices. Thereafter, several life-saving biologicals were manufactured at prices affordable to the common man and in abundance, with the result that the country was made self-sufficient for Tetanus Anti-toxin and Anti-snake Venom serum, followed by DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis) group of Vaccines and then later on MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) group of vaccines. Poonawalla sold horses to raise the initial $12,000 needed to start the company. Using the money and a 12-acre (49,000 m2) lot used to bury horses, the brothers founded the company. Because they had no science background, they hired 10 doctors and scientists from the Haffkine Institute of India. After a number of legal hurdles, the company finally received permission to produce vaccines. Sales finally began picking up when the company won contracts to supply state governments and hospitals. Today, 80% of Serum’s sales are to groups Unicef and the Pan-American Health Organization as well as immunization programs like charity for children’s welfare in India, Germany, the majority of which are from developing markets. Serum became accredited by the World Health Organization in 1994, after which it began exporting vaccines from India. The company plans to enter to the western markets soon, in order to boost its revenue, through a partnership with American firm Akorn

The Philanthropic philosophy of the company still not only exists but has been proliferated to bring down the prices of newer vaccines such as Hepatitis-B vaccine, Rabies vaccine, Combination vaccine etc., so that not only Indian’s, but the entire under-privileged children of the world, in more than 140 countries are protected from birth onwards.

Serum Institute of India has set up Serum Bio Pharma Park, India’s first biotech Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The Park is adjoining Serum Institute’s existing manufacturing unit and is a sector-specific SEZ meant for biotechnology and pharmaceutical products. The SEZ will allow Serum Institute of India to avail various tax benefits such as income tax, import duty on capital goods etc. This has encouraged a lot of foreign companies to partner with Serum Institute of India to avail and share these benefits.

Milestones:

1967: Operations started with manufacture of Tetanus Antitoxin followed by Fluid Tetanus Toxoid.
1972: Large-scale manufacture of Adsorbed Tetanus Toxoid undertaken.
1974: Triple Antigen (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis) Vaccine production commenced.
1977: Autonomous scientific wing, Serum Institute of India Research Foundation established.
1979: In response to urgent requirement of vaccines for India’s EPI, giant Blending Vessels indigenously fabricated.
1980: First-time-in the-world collection of equine serum by simultaneous and continuous plasmapheresis using IBM Computerised Cell Separator.
1981: Manufacturing of life-saving Polyvalent Anti-Snake Venom Serum effective against four poisonous snakes commonly encountered in India commenced.
1982: Introduction of Anti-D Rho Immunoglobulin, Iyophilised and tested on Autoanalyser.
1984: A 2500- litre Blending Vessel, largest in the world for DTP vaccine, successfully fabricated and commissioned.
1984: Landmark visit, for technical conference, by Dr. Jonas Salk of Salk’s Polio Vaccine fame.
1985: Hi-tech plant set up for large-scale manufacture of Human Albumin from human placenta.
1986: The film ‘Snakebite’ awarded ‘Best Professional Film Award’ at ninth International Film Festival in U.S.A. Followed by two more international awards in 1987 and 1989.
1986: Technological breakthrough results in first-time-ever manufacture of Quadruple Vaccine (DTP with Inactivated Polio Vaccine).
1988: Product availability expanded to include range of Fertility Products of World Leaders, Serono of Switzerland.
1989: Manufacture of M-Vac (Measles Vaccine) using E-Z Strain of virus on Human Diploid Cells for the first time in India.
1991: Anti-snake Venom Serum, incorporating venoms from snakes in Central African Countries introduced.
1992: Manufacture of Rubella virus vaccine (monovalent Rubella vaccine) for the first time in India.
1993: Manufacture of MMR Vaccine and MR vaccine for the first time in India.
1993: Launch of Serum International Limited.
1994: Commencement of export of vaccines to UN agencies.
1996: Use of Automatic printing and Labelling Machine, use of Automatic Inspection Machine (screening) for liquids in ampoules and vials.
1997: Commencement of export of Anti-cancer products.
1997: Use of Modular Laboratory meeting international GMP requirements.
1998: Export of vaccines crossed over to 100 countries.
1999: Serum Institute recognised as the largest producer of Measles and DTP vaccines in the world.
2000: One out of every two children in the world vaccinated by Serum Institute’s vaccine.
2001: Launch of indigenously manufactured Recombinant Hepatitis-B vaccine ‘GeneVac-B’.
2002: Launch of BCG vaccine.
2004: Launched the World’s only adsorbed liquid HDC Rabies vaccine, SII RABIVAX.
2005: Launched indigenously developed DTP-HB Combination vaccine, SII Q-VAC.
2006: Launch of DTP-HB-HIB Vaccine
2007: Launch of Penta Vaccine

Rewards & Recognitions:

• Certificate of Merit awarded by CHEMEXCIL, Mumbai, for outstanding export performance in 1994-95.
• First Award under the Drugs and Pharmaceuticals panel from CHEMEXCIL, Mumbai, for sterling export performance in 1995-96.
• Certificate for Export Recognition (1st Rank) under the Export House category, from the Government of Maharashtra for export achievement in 1996-97.
• Vikas Bharati Award received in 1997 from International Council for Business Promotion, New Delhi, for outstanding achievements and contribution in the chosen field of activities, towards promotion and maintaining quality and standard of products/ services through innovative strategies.
• Certificate of Merit awarded by the Government of India, Ministry of Commerce for outstanding export performance in 1996-97.
• Export Excellence Award for 1996-97 and 1997-98 awarded to TOP TEN EXPORTERS from Pune Region by the Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, Pune and Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture

Corporate Office:

Serum Institute of India Ltd.
212/2, Hadapsar,
Off Soli Poonawalla Road,
Pune – 411 028.
India

Tel: +91-20-26993900
Fax: +91-20-26993921

List of branch offices

http://www.seruminstitute.com/