Oman’s first veterinary vaccine project enters construction phase
Conrad Prabhu
Business Correspondent - Oman Daily Observer; Magazine Editor - ENERGY OMAN
OMAN DAILY OBSERVER / 14 MAY 2024
MUSCAT: An Omani state-backed company behind the planned development of the country’s first veterinary vaccine manufacturing project has launched a tender for the selection of a contractor to build the facility at Sohar Freezone.
National Veterinary Vaccine Co LLC (Hasanah), backed by Oman Food Investment Holding Company (Nitaj), is developing a state-of-the-art complex for the production of essential, commonly used vaccines for large animals and poultry, such as livestock foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza, and Newcastle disease, among others.
Set on an area of around 10,000 m2 at the Freezone, the project is proposed to be designed and construction in two phases. The Phase 1 facilities will support aseptic filling in pre-sterilized ready-to-use (RTU) settings, by getting vaccine-ready active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) from the supplier. Phase 2 facilities, on the other hand, will focus on the production and filling of vaccines (antigen).
Last week, Hasanah - which is jointly promoted by Nitaj (part of Oman Investment Authority) and the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) – began the process of prequalifying contractors for the construction of the plant. The deadline for submission of qualifications for the tender is May 26, 2024.
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As part of the Main Contractor’s scope, the successful bidder will be required to undertake all enabling works, the engineering of all superstructures, and the implementation of substructure and superstructure works.
Leading consultancy firm STI Engineering has been roped in by Hasanah to design and oversee the construction of the state-of-the-art. Under an MoU signed last year, Indovax?Pvt Ltd, a leading Indian animal vaccine manufacturer, will supply raw materials for the veterinary vaccines manufacturing in Oman.
According to joint venture partner AAAID, the veterinary vaccine project will be implemented in two phases: Phase I targets the aseptic filling and production of 114.5 million doses of different vaccines over an expansion plan period of five years; and Phase II – the production of 144 million doses of different vaccines from Year 5 onward.
Established in 2019, Hasanah is a 50:50 partnership of Nitaj and AAAID, a pan-Arab financial institution that contributes to the capital of agribusiness ventures in the Arab region. The new project adds a biotechnology component to Nitaj’s expanding portfolio with a focus on the development and production of innovative vaccines for livestock and poultry populations in the Middle East and the wider world.
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