Explainer: How Incepta powering vaccine revolution in Bangladesh

Incepta Pharmaceuticals is revolutionising Bangladesh's vaccine industry by cutting import dependency, lowering costs, and boosting access to life-saving shots.

Here's how the company is leading the change:

• Expanding local capacity: Incepta now produces 16 human vaccines and 13 animal vaccines, reducing the need for costly imports and strengthening domestic healthcare.
• Joining global mRNA hub: The company is part of the WHO-led mRNA vaccine technology hub, giving it access to advanced know-how to produce new vaccines swiftly during future outbreaks.
• Reviving cervical cancer defence: Incepta locally manufactures the cervical cancer vaccine, once sold only by GlaxoSmithKline, now around 40% cheaper than the imported version.
• Affordable pneumonia protection: Its pneumonia vaccine Avimar-13 halved prices from Tk8,000 to Tk4,000 per dose, making a key child vaccine more accessible nationwide.
• Ending rabies shortages: Since 2012, Incepta's local rabies vaccine has ensured consistent availability in hospitals, ending years of scarcity.
• Building advanced facilities: From its Zirabo plant near Dhaka, Incepta produces nearly all vaccines required domestically with an annual capacity of 180 million single doses.
• Strong research and development: Its 10,000 sq ft R&D centre, staffed by 450–500 scientists, conducts cutting-edge work in bacterial and viral vaccine design, supported by global expertise.
• Collaborating with top institutions: Incepta partners with icddr,b, Oxford University, PATH, and others to co-develop innovative vaccines and share technology.
• Training local scientists: The company has trained thousands of researchers, many now working abroad, creating a skilled vaccine workforce for Bangladesh.
• Leading clinical trials: Incepta is advancing vaccines for typhoid, HPV4, pneumococcal, dengue, and rotavirus through rigorous trials.
• Animal health initiative: Its animal vaccine division produces billions of doses annually, boosting livestock health and supporting the Tk4,000 crore animal vaccine market.
• High-quality assurance: All products meet WHO and World Organisation for Animal Health standards, with strict cold-chain control and challenge testing to ensure safety and efficacy.
• Reducing pandemic vulnerability: With the ability to develop new vaccines within weeks, Incepta strengthens Bangladesh's readiness for future global health crises.
• Global footprint and exports: Incepta exports to 89 countries and supplies Unicef, reflecting its growing role in international health security.