GlaxoSmithKline to locate first Indian vaccine plant at Nashik

 Mumbai: The foundation stone of GSK's modern vaccines facility conforming to international 'current good manufacturing practices' (cGMP) norms was laid today by Patrick Florent, vice president, global industrial operations, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals.

The facility is expected to commence operations early 2006. According to Florent, "Vaccination programmes are one of the most effective public health measures, second only to clean drinking water. "

GSK currently imports the vaccines from its headquarters and manufacturing facility at Rixensart, Belgium. It produces vaccines against diseases such as rotavirus related gastroenteritis, malaria, TB, dengue fever, hepatitis-E and typhoid, which will benefit the developing world the most.

The new Indian vaccine facility will be located adjacent to the company's existing pharmaceutical plant at Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Ambad, Nashik. This will be GSK's first manufacturing site to co-house a pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing.

S Kalyanasundaram, managing director, GSK India and vice president, South Asia, GSK International, said, "Unlike developed countries, disease burden from infectious diseases falls on patients in developing countries due to the lack of an adequate social security system to cover the costs of treatment. This makes use of Preventive Health Technologies (PHTs) highly valuable in Indian context."