The Hindu Business Line : BV Biologicals sets up biocontainment plant

Agri-Biz & Commodities - Animals & Livestock
Corporate - New Projects
Web Extras - Standards & Benchmarks
BV Biologicals sets up biocontainment plant

Our Bureau

Unit has potential to counter bioterrorism, infectious diseases

Biocontainment plant
The plant will accelerate research to develop vaccines for foot and mouth disease as per WHO and CGMP norms
The plant will also have a highly controlled environment in which vaccine production and testing can be carried out

Pune , Sept. 1

BV Biologicals, a group company of Venkateshwara Hatcheries specialising in livestock management and healthcare, has set up a biocontainment plant at the Rajiv Gandhi Biotech Park, Hinjewadi, Pune.

A company statement said here on Thursday that the plant is BSL-3 Category Biosafety certified and it has latest containment processes and closed operating systems with carefully monitored functional procedures that make it one of the safest biocontainment facilities.

Plant details

The statement said the plant would accelerate important scientific work to develop vaccines for foot and mouth disease as per WHO (World Health Organization) and CGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) norms. Among other things, it will have a highly controlled environment in which vaccine production and testing can be carried out to respond more effectively to events such as an animal disease outbreak and food safety concerns.

Countering bioterrorism

The facility also has a potential to provide containment for any kind of virus that is identified as a threat to the nation. Diseases such as anthrax, SARS and avian influenza, can be quickly and safely controlled through this facility by means of respective vaccine development, the release said. Mr O.P. Singh, CEO, Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group, said, "Our aim is to explore the challenges posed by bioterrorism and other emerging infectious diseases in the country. Biosecurity and biocontainment strategies will help us reduce the risk of disease and ensure that microorganisms don't thrive and proliferate in the community or the environment."

Looking ahead, the company plans expansion into the related upstream and downstream areas to cater to the increasing demand for all animal vaccine.

Biocontainment is a system of zones to contain microorganisms that may present a risk to the surrounding environment.

Biocontainment can be classified by the relative danger to the surrounding environment as biological safety levels (BSL). There are in all four safety levels. These are called BSL1 through BSL4, with one anomalous level BSL3-ag for agricultural hazards between BSL3 and BSL4. Higher numbers indicate greater risks to the external environment.

At the highest level, the containment involves isolation of the organism by means of building systems, sealed rooms, sealed containers, personal isolation equipment similar to "space suits'' and elaborate procedures for entering the room, and decontamination procedures for leaving the room.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Study to assess farmers' indebtedness in Kerala

7.3 lakh tonnes wheat arrives in ports

Warming Pacific may fire up NE monsoon in peninsula

BV Biologicals sets up biocontainment plant

Australia-India Trade — Gold that's put to use more gold begets

Inflation dips marginally on lower energy prices

Spot rubber remains steady

Rs 4,500-cr tea revival fund by November

Good demand lifts prices at Kochi tea sale

Leaky sachets, not pesticides, are the most frequent complaint

Pepper futures market moves up

Aquaculture expo in Jan