Context
- Recently, Union Minister addressed a high-level CEPI Board and Investors Council reception in New Delhi, underscoring India’s emergence as a global vaccine hub and the strengthening of its institutional partnership with CEPI.
Landmark Vaccine/Research Achievements
- Global Vaccine Supply: India supplies vaccines to more than 100 countries and accounts for nearly 60% of global vaccine production.
- WHO Immunisation: India meets more than 65% of WHO’s routine immunisation requirements.
- Growing Bioeconomy: India’s bioeconomy reached USD 195.3 billion in 2025, registering 18% year-on-year growth.
- Biopharma Impact: The biopharma sector makes up approximately 30% of India’s total bioeconomy.
What is CEPI?
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) it is a global partnership funding vaccine development against emerging infectious diseases.
- Aims for equitable vaccine access during outbreaks.
- India is a founding member of CEPI.
The India-CEPI Partnership & “Ind-CEPI” Successes
- The partnership between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) was renewed in September 2025 for another 5 years. Major outcomes of the Ind-CEPI mission include:
- GEMCOVAC-19: India’s first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, which received Emergency Use Authorisation.
- Chikungunya Vaccine: An inactivated Chikungunya vaccine candidate is undergoing Phase II/III trials.
- Multivalent Vaccine Candidates: Self-assembled Nanocage technology-based vaccine candidates for Monkeypox and pan-sarbecoviruses are at an advanced pre-clinical stage.
Conclusion
India’s expanding vaccine capabilities, growing bioeconomy and India–CEPI partnership reflect its transition from being primarily a vaccine manufacturer to a key contributor to global vaccine innovation, epidemic preparedness and health security.