Odisha Sets June 2022 Target For Covaxin Production At Andharua Unit

Bhubaneswar: Construction of vaccine production unit has started at Andharua in the capital city and a target has been set to commence production of Covaxin by June, 2022.

At a state level Bio-Tech implementation committee meeting  here on Thursday, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra directed the officials concerned to expedite construction work to meet the target date of production.

The Andharua anchor vaccine unit being set up through Bharat Biotech International Ltd (BBIL, will produce around 10 types of advanced vaccines including that for corona and malaria, stated a release.

Smooth land allotment process by IDCO and ‘ease of doing business’ reforms have helped in beginning the process, the Chief Secretary said and added that statutory clearances and permissions have also been granted for setting up the unit.

Reviewing the progress Mahapatra also directed the department to focus on setting up directorate of bio-technology for having a fastened approach towards incubation and setting up new industries in the sector.

Secretary, Science and Technology, Manoj Mishra said around Rs 15 crore was allocated under the ‘Fund of Funds’ of MSME department for providing equity support to the incubating units in Biotechnology sector.

Chairman and Managing Director IDCO Sanjay Singh said a state-of-the-art O Hub incubation centre has come up near Infocity, Bhubaneswar where two floors with around 28 thousand sqft space can be made available for incubation facilities.

The decision is likely to benefit around 775 startups in Odisha, out of whom around 65 have acquired patent, trade mark and copy write etc. Around 75 startups are incubating in biotech and health sector, Singh added.

Among others, Development Commissioner Pradeep Jena; Additional Chief Secretary Forest and Environment Dr. Mona Sharma; Principal Secretary, Industry, Hemant Kumar Sharma; Principal Secretary Finance Ashok Kumar Meena; Principal Secretary, Energy,  Nikunjabihari Dhal and Principal Secretary MSME Satyabrata Sahu;  along with senior officers of departments concerned and industry representatives participated.