BHARAT Biotech International Ltd (BBIL) has emerged as the first and only Indian biotechnology company to manufacture a vaccine for Wyeth, the US-based $14.5-billion healthcare products major.

For the first time, Wyeth took the initiative of manufacturing Haemophilus Influenzae B Conjugate Vaccine outside the US, according to a BBIL press release here on Friday.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, handed over a fresh batch of vaccine, manufactured by BBIL under the brand name HibTITER, to the Medical Director of Wyeth Ledrle Ltd, Dr V.B. Sovani, at the three day international exhibition on Biotechnology here.

Commenting on the development, the BBIL Chairman and Managing Director, Dr Krishna M. Ella, said: “Wyeth’s association with BBIL for contract manufacturing the vaccine is a milestone for the entire biotechnology sector in the country. Our goal is to create world-class products, product-oriented research and new drug development.”

BBIL claims to have already manufactured half-a-million doses of Hib-TITER vaccine for the domestic market. Wyeth India, the Rs 300-crore subsidiary of Wyeth, has manufacturing facilities at Goa, Mumbai and Valsad.