6/1(Sun) SII

#SII

#SerumInstituteIndia

The Serum Institute of India (SII), founded in 1966 by Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, is headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, and is recognized as the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume .

As part of the Cyrus Poonawalla Group, SII has been instrumental in producing affordable vaccines for global distribution. 

Key Products and Innovations

SII produces a wide range of vaccines, including those for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP), measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, BCG (tuberculosis), and polio. Notably, the institute developed Pneumosil, the world’s most affordable pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, and Cervavac, India’s first indigenous quadrivalent HPV vaccine .  

#Covid19

#Diphtheria

#Tetanus

Global Impact

SII’s vaccines are utilized in over 170 countries, with more than 25 vaccines prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO) .

The institute supplies vaccines to international organizations such as UNICEF, PAHO, and GAVI, contributing significantly to global immunization efforts. 

COVID-19 Response

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SII partnered with AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford to produce Covishield, a widely administered vaccine in India and other low- and middle-income countries.

Additionally, SII collaborated with Novavax to manufacture Covovax for global distribution .  

Malaria Vaccine Development

In collaboration with the University of Oxford, SII developed the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine.

This vaccine received WHO recommendation in October 2023 and has been approved for use in countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso. SII aims to produce up to 100 million doses annually, with plans to double this capacity to combat malaria effectively .  

Manufacturing Capacity

SII operates state-of-the-art facilities in Pune, with an annual production capacity of up to 4 billion doses.

The institute’s infrastructure complies with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and has received WHO accreditation . 

Strategic Partnerships

SII has expanded its global footprint through strategic acquisitions and partnerships: 

• Acquired Bilthoven Biologicals in the Netherlands in 2012, enhancing its capabilities in producing the injectable polio vaccine . 

• Joined the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) network in 2024 to support rapid vaccine development for emerging infectious diseases . 

• Formed a strategic alliance with Biocon Biologics in 2021, granting Biocon access to 100 million vaccine doses annually for 15 years and commercialization rights for SII’s vaccine portfolio in international markets . 

Leadership

Adar Poonawalla, son of the founder, has been the CEO of SII since 2011. Under his leadership, the institute has expanded its global reach and played a pivotal role in responding to global health crises . 

For more detailed information, you can visit the official Serum Institute of India website.

#AdarPoonawalla

#GAVI