WHO to set up mRNA vaccine hub in Hyderabad as part of global plan: KT Rama Rao

In a major validation of Hyderabad’s growing clout as a global vaccine hub, World Health Organisation (WHO) is setting up an mRNA vaccine hub in Hyderabad as part of its plans to set up such hubs in select locations globally, industries minister KT Rama Rao disclosed.

The mRNA vaccine hub is coming up atBiological Eby way of a technology transfer by WHO to create capacities not just for global emergencies such as the Covid-19 pandemic but also to tackle future pandemics as well as develop capacities for ailments such as malaria, HIV, and cancer.

KTR said that as Hyderabad is also Home to one of the largest number of US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) approved manufacturing Plants at 214, the was trying to get the US drug regulator to set up its offices in the city.

The city accounts for about 40% of India’s pharma output, KTR said at an interaction in the run-up to the 20th edition of Asia’s largest life sciences conclave – BioAsia 2023 -that kicks off on February 24.

OnTelanganagovernment’s target to double the state’s life sciences ecosystem from $50 billion in value (turnover of $13 billion) in 2021 to $100 billion by 2028, he said the plan is to also double the EMPLOYMENT generated by the sector to 8 lakh over the next five years.