By Amey Haldankar
Delhi, Aug 18: Serum Institute of India, one of the largest producers of vaccines, has bought 50% stake (share) in
Schott (pronounced as Shoch) Kaisha, the largest manufacturer of pharma packaging products in India. Schott Kaisha is a joint venture (a business enterprise) of Schott AG, a German speciality glass company, and Kaisha, an Indian company manufacturing pharma packaging products such as syringes, vials (small cylindrical glass container, or medicine container), etc. It is run by Kairus Dadachandji and Shapoor Mistry.
“By acquiring 50% stake of Schott Kaisha, Serum would be able to secure the supply chain which is of strategic importance. Schott is the perfect partner for us to do this because of their expertise and global network. As a longtime customer, we use their vials, ampules, and syringes to store our vaccines, including Covishield.” Adar Poonawalla of Serum Institute stated.
“As India has steadily established its position as a global pharmaceutical hub, we are delighted to strengthen our footprint within the Indian pharma supply chain.” Frank Heinricht of Schott added. Both Schott and Serum will invest in future till this partnership stabilises. There are many projects of Schott in India, like approx. 600 crores of investment in two new plants at Umarsadi, in Gujarat, and Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. Schott has delivered vials for more than 2 billion vaccine doses through 2021 and has provided glass vials globally for major vaccine manufacturers.