In a strategic move poised to reshape India’s animal health sector, leading veterinary vaccine manufacturers have announced the formation of the Veterinary Vaccine India Manufacturers Association (VVIMA). The not-for-profit, industry-led association will serve as the collective voice of India’s veterinary vaccine industry, advocating for innovation, quality manufacturing, and global competitiveness.

India’s veterinary vaccine market, currently estimated at Rs 20 billion (2,000 crore), represents a fraction of the global market valued at over Rs 1,000 billion (1 lakh crore). The country’s ecosystem includes eight private-sector vaccine manufacturers and several state-owned units producing vaccines for poultry, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and pets. VVIMA will engage proactively with policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders to shape an enabling environment for research, development, and production of veterinary vaccines. The association aligns closely with the One Health concept, emphasizing immunization strategies that protect animal health, reduce zoonotic disease risks, and improve livelihoods for rural livestock farmers.

On 25 September, the VVIMA founding members met with the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying in Delhi, engaging Minister of State Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Secretary Naresh Pal Gangwar, Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr. Pravin Malik, and Additional Secretary, Varsha Joshi to outline the association’s priorities. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, VVIMA aims to achieve self-reliance in animal vaccines through applied R&D, technology acquisition, and robust supply chains, positioning India as a global supplier.

India hosts an estimated 193 million cattle, 110 million buffalo, 148 million goats, 74 million sheep, 9 million swine, 851 million poultry, and 0.25 million camels. Vaccines are procured under national and state immunization programs for diseases such as FMD, Brucellosis, PPR, Goat Pox, Lumpy Skin Disease, and Classical Swine Fever, with domestic production fulfilling the majority of demand. India is largely self-sufficient in veterinary vaccines for cattle, sheep, goat, and swine, and exports vaccines for multiple species, though small quantities of poultry and pet vaccines are still imported.

Leadership Statements:

Rajiv Gandhi, CEO & MD of Hester Biosciences Ltd and President of VVIMA, said, “VVIMA will serve as the collective voice of veterinary vaccine manufacturers in India. We will proactively engage with policymakers and stakeholders to foster innovation, ensure quality, and enhance global competitiveness, positioning India as a hub for veterinary vaccines. Our work also safeguards human health by reducing zoonotic disease transmission.”

K. Anand Kumar, MD, Indian Immunologicals Ltd and Vice President, VVIMA, said, “VVIMA is committed to addressing both domestic and international challenges facing the veterinary vaccine industry. Our advocacy will advance India’s position as a global hub for animal vaccines, mirroring the country’s leadership in human vaccines.”

Dr. Sanjay Gavkare, General Manager, Venkateshwara Hatcheries Pvt Ltd and VVIMA member, added, “As a unified industry voice, VVIMA will revolutionize animal health and promote global health security through innovation, quality assurance, and strategic immunization programs.”

The founding members of VVIMA include Biovet Private Limited, Brilliant Bio Pharma Private Limited, Globion India Private Limited, Hester Biosciences Limited, Indian Immunologicals Limited, Indovax Private Limited, and Venkateshwara Hatcheries Private Limited. The office bearers are Rajiv Gandhi, CEO & MD of Hester Biosciences Ltd, serving as President, and Dr. K. Anand Kumar, MD of Indian Immunologicals Ltd, serving as Vice President.