Hester Biosciences Limited has received a manufacturing license from the Food & Drugs Control Administration to produce and market a Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Vaccine, Inactivated H9N2 strain, intended for poultry. The company stated that the H9N2 strain of Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza remains a recurring concern for poultry farms, contributing to year-round disease complications and causing significant economic impact. According to Hester, the virus is known to reduce egg output in layer birds and affect performance in broilers, with further risk of higher mortality when combined with other infections.
Hester said the approval marks an important regulatory step in strengthening its poultry healthcare portfolio, with a continued focus on prevention-based solutions. The company added that the vaccine has been developed using technology acquired from ICAR-NIHSAD through Agrinnovate India.
Hester Biosciences Limited is a prominent Indian animal healthcare and veterinary vaccine company, headquartered in Ahmedabad and Kadi, Gujarat. Founded in 1987 by Rajiv Gandhi, it has grown from a small trading business into one of the leading animal biological manufacturers in Asia with operations in more than 30 countries.
The company specializes in producing a wide range of poultry and large animal vaccines, including those for Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease, goat pox, and peste des petits ruminants (PPR). It also offers animal health products, feed supplements, diagnostics, and related services such as seroprofiling kits and mastitis control programs for cattle.
Hester is the second largest poultry vaccine manufacturer in India and has a strong presence in key international markets such as Nepal, Africa, and Southeast Asia. It operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in India, Nepal, and Tanzania that meet international quality standards like WHO-GMP and ISO certifications.
Listed on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE: HESTERBIO) and BSE (524669), Hester focuses on innovation, research and development to expand its product portfolio and global footprint. Its long-term strategy emphasizes addressing animal health challenges, increasing export revenue, and advancing veterinary public health worldwide.
