Introduction

Hyderabad has rapidly emerged as a powerhouse for biotechnology, home to some of the best biotech companies in Hyderabad driving innovations in vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. Nicknamed India's "Genome Valley," the city's collaborative ecosystem nurtures industry pioneers alongside agile startups. In this article, we spotlight the top 10 biotech companies in Hyderabad, highlighting their recent breakthroughs (2024–2025) and how they are shaping the future of medicine. From vaccine giants to genomics upstarts, these Hyderabad biotech companies exemplify innovation and a commitment to improving global health.

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Top 10 Biotech Companies in Hyderabad

PopVax – Pioneering mRNA Vaccines

PopVax is a rising Hyderabad-based startup developing novel mRNA vaccines using machine learning-guided protein design. Founded in 2021, PopVax gained international attention when its broad-spectrum COVID-19 vaccine was selected for the U.S. NIH's Project NextGen initiative. This government program will sponsor a Phase I trial in early 2025 after the vaccine showed superior antibody responses in preclinical studies. PopVax also secured $1.15 million in funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop thermostable mRNA vaccine formulations. In January 2025, the company won a $2 million BARDA "Patch" award for its self-administered influenza vaccine, delivered via a microneedle patch that induced up to 250× higher antibody titers in mice compared to existing flu shots. With an in-house RNA foundry in Hyderabad and six vaccine candidates in the pipeline, PopVax exemplifies the new wave of innovation among biotech companies in Hyderabad focused on next-generation vaccine technology.

Yapan Bio – Biologics Manufacturing Powerhouse

Yapan Bio is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in biologics such as viral vector vaccines, gene therapies, and monoclonal antibodies. Established in 2019 at Hyderabad's Genome Valley, Yapan Bio has quickly expanded its capabilities with backing from Piramal Pharma. In late 2022, the company opened a state-of-the-art process development facility, including multiple Bio-Safety Level-2 suites and analytical labs. This ₹65 crore expansion (part of an $8 million plan) enables end-to-end development of RNA, DNA, and viral products – from plasmid engineering to GMP manufacturing. Piramal's strategic stake in Yapan allows it to market Yapan's services globally, and Yapan now supports international clients in advancing novel vaccines and gene therapies. With a focus on quality and speed, Yapan Bio is cementing Hyderabad's reputation as a hub for biologics development and manufacturing.

Sapien Biosciences – India's Precision Medicine Biobank

Sapien Biosciences is India's pioneering biobank and personalized medicine company, launched in 2012 as a joint venture with Apollo Hospitals. Over the past decade, Sapien has built a pan-India repository of ethically consented patient samples – more than 200,000 biospecimens ranging from tumor tissues to blood – along with associated clinical data. These well-annotated samples underpin R&D for diagnostics and targeted therapies. Sapien has developed diagnostics (its first test for platelet function launched in 2014) and established in vitro cell models for drug screening in oncology. By 2025, the company is powering multiple research collaborations: for example, Sapien partnered with Boston-based Genialis in 2024 to contribute cancer patient datasets from India to improve AI-driven biomarker discovery. This partnership ensures that predictive models for new drugs include diverse ethnic populations. "Most biomarkers today were developed in Western populations; Sapien is addressing this gap by providing data from Asian and Indian patients," notes CEO Dr. Jugnu Jain. Through such efforts, Sapien Biosciences is at the forefront of precision medicine in India, bridging healthcare and biotech to enable more inclusive innovations.

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D-NOME – Portable PCR for Rapid Diagnostics

D-NOME Pvt. Ltd. is a next-generation diagnostics startup (founded 2021) on a mission to make molecular testing affordable and accessible. Based at an incubator in Hyderabad, D-NOME has developed a compact "Pocket PCR" device that brings DNA/RNA amplification out of the lab and into point-of-care settings. The company's focus is on creating scalable PCR and isothermal amplification (LAMP) kits using its innovative reagent technology. In early 2025, D-NOME's Pocket PCR platform earned national recognition at the Startup India "Mahakumbh" event. The Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, after seeing a demo, remarked "We need more deep tech innovations like this" – a strong validation of D-NOME's vision. The portable PCR can deliver rapid COVID-19, TB, or genetic test results in resource-limited areas, supporting remote tele-diagnostics. Backed by local venture funds and guided by India's Make in India initiative, D-NOME is poised to help decentralize diagnostics. Its success also highlights how top biotech companies in Hyderabad are leveraging engineering and biotech know-how to solve public health challenges.

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Clonz Biotech – Biosimilars for Affordable Therapies

Clonz Biotech, founded in 2010 in Hyderabad, is a biopharmaceutical firm committed to making biologic drugs more affordable. Clonz operates a DSIR-recognized R&D center with an integrated mammalian cell culture facility to develop biosimilar monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The company's core team consists of veterans from Dr. Reddy's Labs' biologics unit, bringing deep expertise in recombinant protein production. Clonz's pipeline targets blockbuster antibodies whose patents have expired – for example, it is developing biosimilars of Rituximab (for lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis) and Bevacizumab (for cancer), as well as Ranibizumab for macular degeneration. These products could provide life-saving treatments at a fraction of current costs. Like many biosimilar developers, Clonz has faced the high costs of clinical trials, but it has steadily progressed its candidates through early-phase studies. Equipped with a GMP manufacturing suite in Genome Valley, Clonz is preparing for larger trials and seeking strategic partners to bring its affordable biologics to market. Its work in oncology and immunology aims to ensure that cutting-edge biologic therapies are accessible to patients in India and emerging countries.

Bharat Biotech – Global Vaccine Trailblazer

No list of top 10 biotech companies in Hyderabad is complete without Bharat Biotech International Ltd (BBIL) – a homegrown pioneer in vaccines. Founded in 1996, Bharat Biotech has delivered over 5 billion vaccine doses worldwide and put India on the global vaccine map. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it developed Covaxin, one of India's first approved COVID-19 vaccines, in collaboration with ICMR. In 2023, Bharat Biotech introduced iNCOVACC, the world's first intranasal COVID-19 vaccine administered as drops – a needle-free booster designed to block transmission at the infection site. The company is also tackling other emerging diseases: its two-dose Chikungunya vaccine (BBV87), developed with CEPI's support, entered Phase II/III trials across regions including India and Costa Rica. Furthermore, Bharat Biotech is gearing up to produce the world's first malaria vaccine. In a landmark tech-transfer agreement, Britain's GSK is transferring production of the RTS,S malaria vaccine antigen to Bharat, securing a long-term supply for global needs. Beyond these novel projects, Bharat Biotech's portfolio spans 17 licensed vaccines (for rotavirus, hepatitis, polio, rabies, etc.), and it continues to innovate with new platforms (it has explored mRNA and intranasal vaccines for future pandemics). With massive manufacturing infrastructure and R&D talent, Bharat Biotech remains a flagship of Hyderabad's biotech sector – demonstrating that the city's companies can deliver vaccines of international importance from discovery to deployment.

Biological E – Innovating through Partnerships

Biological E. Ltd (BE) is one of India's oldest vaccine companies (est. 1953) and a stalwart of Hyderabad's biotech landscape. Traditionally known for pediatric vaccines (it was a major supplier of pentavalent and JE vaccines to UNICEF), BE gained new prominence during the pandemic with its Corbevax COVID-19 vaccine – a protein subunit shot developed with Baylor College of Medicine. In 2023, Biological E forged a significant global partnership to combat dengue fever. Japan's Takeda Pharmaceuticals chose BE as a manufacturing partner to ramp up production of Qdenga (TAK-003), a newly approved dengue vaccine. Under this deal, BE will produce multi-dose vials of Qdenga for endemic countries, helping achieve the goal of 100 million doses annually by 2030. BE's inclusion is a testament to its "deep expertise" in vaccine production and its longstanding support of public health programs. The company is investing in expanded facilities to fulfill this and other collaborations. Beyond dengue, Biological E continues to diversify – it has developed a Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine and is working on other infectious disease targets. By blending in-house R&D with strategic alliances, BE exemplifies how Hyderabad's vaccine industry stays at the cutting edge. Its success with technology transfer and contract manufacturing also strengthens India's position as a global vaccine supplier.

Indian Immunologicals – Vaccines for Humans and Animals

Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), based in Hyderabad, is a unique biotech company straddling human and animal health. Founded in 1982 under India's National Dairy Development Board, IIL is one of Asia's largest veterinary vaccine producers – known especially for inexpensive foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines that transformed India's dairy industry. On the human health side, IIL manufactures vaccines for rabies, hepatitis, Japanese encephalitis (JENVAC), and more, exporting to over 50 countries. Notably, its cell-culture anti-rabies vaccine is a market leader, contributing ~35% of revenues. In recent years, Indian Immunologicals has ramped up innovation in response to public health needs. The company is developing India's first indigenous dengue vaccine, with early trials showing no safety concerns. As of 2023, IIL's dengue vaccine candidate (licensed from the U.S. NIH) was completing Phase I and is slated for a larger Phase II/III trial – aiming for a commercial launch by January 2026 if all goes well. IIL has also partnered with research institutes to create novel vaccines for farmed fish, addressing aquaculture diseases for the first time in India. During the COVID-19 crisis, IIL collaborated with Griffith University Australia on a experimental intranasal COVID vaccine using codon-deoptimization technology. While that project is ongoing, it underscores IIL's growing R&D capabilities. Backed by a new GMP plant that will boost capacity by 2025, Indian Immunologicals is set to continue its dual mission: safeguarding livestock health and supplying crucial human vaccines, all while developing new vaccines in-house – a combination that few biotech firms globally can match.

Shantha Biotechnics (Sanofi) – A Legacy of Vaccine Innovation

Shantha Biotechnics is a trailblazer that put Hyderabad's biotech industry on the map. In 1997, Shantha became the first Indian company to develop and launch a recombinant vaccine (Shanvac-B for Hepatitis B), dramatically reducing the vaccine's cost and proving that world-class biotech products could originate from India. In 2009, Shantha was acquired by Sanofi Pasteur for $784 million, integrating it into the French vaccine giant's global operations. Today, as a Sanofi subsidiary, Shantha continues to operate from Hyderabad with significantly expanded facilities. Sanofi has invested over ₹5,500 crore (>$800 million) into Shantha's infrastructure post-acquisition, including a 19,000 m² vaccine plant opened in 2016. That facility produces Shan5 (a five-in-one pediatric vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib, and hepatitis B) and other vaccines for global markets. After overcoming some early manufacturing hurdles, Shantha's plants are WHO-prequalified and have supplied tens of millions of doses of pentavalent vaccines in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The company has also developed a cholera vaccine (Shanchol) and is involved in Sanofi's newer vaccine projects. Beyond its products, Shantha's legacy looms large in Hyderabad – inspiring a generation of biotech entrepreneurs. Many local scientists point to Shantha's success (and its founder Dr. K.I. Varaprasad Reddy) as proof that Hyderabad biotech companies can compete globally. As part of Sanofi, Shantha Biotechnics ensures that Hyderabad remains a key node in the worldwide network of vaccine R&D and manufacturing.

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Aragen Life Sciences – Accelerating Drug R&D Globally

Aragen Life Sciences (formerly GVK Bio) is a leading contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRDMO) headquartered in Hyderabad. Over 20 years, Aragen has grown into a global R&D engine, supporting more than 1,000 biotech and pharma innovators worldwide in discovering and developing new drugs. The company offers end-to-end services across the drug lifecycle – from early-stage molecule design and preclinical testing to process development and manufacturing of both small molecules and biologics. In January 2024, Aragen announced a major expansion plan to invest ₹2,000 crore (approximately $250 million) in its Hyderabad operations, which will add 1,500 new scientific jobs. This expansion will strengthen the city's position as Asia's epicenter for CRO/CRDMO services. Aragen's growth is backed by significant investor confidence: in 2025, the company raised $100 million from PE fund Quadria Capital in a deal valuing Aragen at $1.4 billion. These funds help Aragen scale up infrastructure to meet surging demand from Western companies seeking to diversify R&D supply chains. Aragen's CEO, Manni Kantipudi, noted that expanding capabilities – including a new biologics facility and additional labs – will enable the company to support clients from hit discovery through clinical trial material supply. With cutting-edge technology platforms and a workforce of over 3,200, Aragen is a prime example of Hyderabad's emergence beyond product companies into high-value research services. Its success has attracted other global CROs to set up in Hyderabad, creating a thriving cluster for outsourced biotech R&D.

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Future Outlook: Collaboration and Digitization in Hyderabad's Biotech Sector

From nimble startups like PopVax and D-NOME to established leaders like Bharat Biotech and Aragen, Hyderabad's biotech ecosystem covers the full spectrum of life sciences innovation. A key strength of this cluster is the synergy between companies – vaccine makers partnering with academia and global nonprofits, service providers supporting product startups, and a talent pool that flows between big pharma and new ventures. The Telangana state government continues to invest in infrastructure and incubators, ensuring the pipeline of innovation remains strong. At the same time, companies are embracing digital tools to streamline R&D and scale up efficiently. Platforms like Scispot are helping biotech companies in Hyderabad automate their lab workflows and manage data more effectively, replacing paper lab notebooks with cloud-based systems. By adopting modern LabOS and electronic lab notebooks, Hyderabad's labs can improve compliance and reproducibility – a point often highlighted by Scispot in its mission to digitize biotech R&D. This digital transformation enables teams to focus on science and collaboration rather than paperwork, speeding up the path from experiment to breakthrough.

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Conclusion

Looking ahead, Hyderabad's biotech industry appears poised for even greater growth. The city is attracting international attention – whether through vaccines being trialed on foreign soil, or global pharma firms choosing Hyderabad partners for critical projects. With strong support for research, a culture of entrepreneurship, and increasing adoption of AI and automation, the next decade could see Hyderabad producing world-class biologics, new therapies for endemic diseases, and tech-driven diagnostics that serve both local and global needs. In an era when healthcare innovation is paramount, the achievements of these top biotech companies in Hyderabad underscore the city's role as a major biotech hub – one that is delivering solutions not just for India, but for the world at large.

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