Dr Krishna Ella, Head, Bharat Biotech, shared his thoughts on India’s vaccine skills and the need for young entrepreneurs to innovate. excerpts from an interview
Krishna Ella at Bharat Biotech’s BSL-3 facility in Hyderabad; (Photo: Banddeep Singh)
Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech spoke to Raj Chengappa, Group Editorial Director, on India’s vaccine skills and the need for young entrepreneurs to innovate. Part:
Why. Why did you decide to take the indigenous route to make the Kovid-19 vaccine?
For me, it was the equivalent of India’s nuclear moment—in the past, only powerful nations had sophisticated technology to make nuclear bombs, but India showed that we could make them indigenously. I saw this as an equal opportunity for the next generation of entrepreneurs to demonstrate that India can be a world leader in vaccination.
Why. It takes 5 to 10 years to develop a vaccine. How did you do it in one year?
It took 17 years for rotavirus vaccine to be made, typhoid 10 years. So how did we succeed in making the Kovid vaccine in a year? This was because there was a global need, so both the regulatory system and the government actively pushed for it. This is where public-private partnerships come in handy. In addition to our own development, the National Institute of Virology (NIV) assisted us with quality control, standards, and animal challenging studies. I have to salute all our employees, government machinery, regulatory system and NIV. My employees worked day and night and it made a difference.
Why. You are now indigenously developing India’s first nasal vaccine for COVID-19.
I call it the ‘Kiss’ vaccine, not just for fun. If someone has taken this nasal vaccine and even kisses an infected person, he/she will not get covid. Today, we are wearing masks to prevent the transmission of the virus. My nasal vaccine will help prevent transmission of the virus. Injectable vaccines may not protect the upper respiratory tract, but nasal drops will. Our internal studies suggest that it will also serve as a booster dose for people who have taken Covishield or Covaxin.
Why. What is your advice for young entrepreneurs?
I want the younger generation to take risks and solve the problems faced by the society. If you do this, you will be the best innovator, the best entrepreneur. The second is self-reliance, which Prime Minister Modi calls the Atmanirbhar Bharat program. Our success is an inspiration to others and a proof that it can be done against all odds in the country. Third, going forward, they need to create a generic vaccine—such as the pentavalent vaccine—that UNICEF wants. Fourth is innovation. We did this with the rotavirus vaccine by creating an orally administered vaccine. Young entrepreneurs need to do success stuff like this. India must stand for innovation. Merely copying medicines made by others will do nothing. It is innovation that will help generate funds to pave the way for further innovation.
Why. What do you think the Indian government should do to help?
While we are taking care of India’s vaccine requirements, we should also help Africa, allocating 50 percent of our vaccine production to them. There is a perception in Africa that Indian companies want to exploit African markets but they do not want to help solve Africa’s problems. As Indian manufacturers, it is our moral responsibility to help Africa. I am working on a cholera vaccine for Africa. Incentives from the government, financial support, facilitation of clinical trials and regulatory process should allow for faster approval of innovations.
Why. Lastly, what inspires you?
For me, everything – breathing, eating, talking – is directed towards science. I want to excel in this. To me there is nothing but science.
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