For several years, biosciences companies have been facing distinct challenges like fewer options for import substitutes and high-cost consumables. Situations like the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these challenges. Though for the last couple of years, the time has been unpredictable, numerous biosciences companies have experienced scientific transformations. Digital transformations, data-driven value chains, and hugely advancing CEOs’ priorities, have been the driving forces. These have set a new benchmark for the industry. So, companies are striving to stay abreast of the market trends and reap the highest benefits.
One such spearheading company which is making unswerving efforts to drive new inventions in the industry is HiMedia laboratories. Launched in 1976 and headquartered in the Thane district in Maharashtra, HiMedia is among the top three brands in microbiology across the globe holding significant expertise in manufacturing high-quality culture media for microbiology. Over the years, the company has devised a rich portfolio of excellent products.
HiMedia offers incredible biosciences services to a wide array of industries including Healthcare, Pharma, Biopharma, Fermentation, Food & Beverages, Research & academic institutes, the cosmetic industry, and Agro-industries.
The company’s prime goal is to adapt to the latest requirements and stay cost-effective while fulfilling the required technical advances. Its core focus is on developing products in accordance with the market needs with innovation and development.
The Strong Pillar of HIMEDIA
Dr. Gangadhar M. Warke, CMD, along with his wife Mrs. Saroj Warke-Director of the IT wing, and his younger brother Mr. Vishnu M. Warke- Director of Sales & Marketing laid the strong foundation of the HiMedia Laboratories around 5 decades ago. HiMedia was Dr. Warke’s vivid aspiration and aimed to build an Indian brand that would speak volumes about quality through its products. In pursuit of facilitating the Indian research fraternity, educational institutes, and industries with culture media that were both accessible and affordable in equal measure, the three founders started the journey of HiMedia Laboratories in 1976.
Dr. G. M. Warke holds a doctorate degree in Microbiology from the University of Bombay, India. His innate ability to convert research into saleable products and his immense knowledge and command over microbiology recipes led to HiMedia’s historic contribution to the world of microbiology. His inevitable expertise in the field has led the company to be the numero-uno in introducing high-tech products in the global market at affordable rates, which were otherwise being imported at exorbitant prices. He has been instrumental in developing over 7,500 cultural media and associated products. He has also established offices and warehouses in the USA and Germany for the hassle-free and prompt delivery of products.
Over the years, Dr. G. M. Warke has spearheaded HiMedia’s evolution from a microbiology media manufacturing company to a fully integrated bioscience company. The company has a vast product portfolio spanning 7 businesses namely, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Plant Tissue Culture, Molecular Biology, Chemicals & Biochemicals, Lab Consumables and Hydroponics.
Memorable Achievements
HiMedia offers products and services in India and across 150 countries with more than 150 distributors. Over the extensive period of 48 years, the company has had innumerable illustrations of excellent experiences with its national and international clients. One of the best endeavors of Himedia involves the massive production of kits during the COVID pandemic. During the initial phase of the pandemic in 2020, the senior officials in the PMO office contacted HiMedia and requested to provide all viral transport medium (VTM) kits (required for collecting patient samples) to ICMR labs & hospitals.
Moreover, the PMO Office requested HiMedia to ramp up production to support the surging testing needs. Accordingly, the company ramped up its VTM kit production capacity from 0.5 million VTM tests per year to 1 million VTM test kits per day. This is one of the proudest and most satisfying moments for the company since it proved highly valuable to the country.
The Founders & Director had incepted HiMedia with the mission to assist scientists and professionals through incredible services. And its sturdy teams have been observing this mission keenly with utmost sincerity and dedication. This never-die attitude has made the company outshine during the toughest crisis of pandemics.
A Superior Way to Confront Challenges
HiMedia encounters new as well as prominent competitors due to continuous technological innovation. To overpower these stumbling blocks, the company has planned to invest 16% of its profits in R&D. HiMedia’s team strongly believes that new product development is a very substantial element in the company and these new products are further efficiently translated into cost-effective high throughput bulk production. This enables them to meet customers’ needs and offer them precise solutions cost-effectively.
An Opinion Worth Noting
Regarding the current market scenario, Dr. Vishal G. Warke, the Director Of Cell biology and Higronics at HiMedia Pvt.Ltd., shared his vivid opinion.
He said, “India’s biotech industry is based on a mix of basic and applied research and developing novel therapies or products. India is one of the top 12 destinations for biotechnology in the world. The Indian biotechnology industry is growing at an impressive rate. It is projected to further reach US$ 150 billion by 2025 with a CAGR of 16%, being one of the key drivers of the Indian economy. The government has made several efforts to stimulate research and development activities within the biotech sector through the National Biotech Development Strategy (NBDPS) 2011- 2020.”
The company believes that the significant areas of focus within this include genetic engineering, bioinformatics, drug research & development, and agricultural biotechnology wherein NBDPS is improving and establishing infrastructure for our research.
Piece of Advice for Budding Entrepreneurs
Dr, Vishal G. Warke asserted when asked upon sharing their opinion for budding entrepreneurs, “Advice for the startups in the pharma and biotech industry is that they should arrange for adequate funds from funding agencies such as DBT, BIRAC, DST, CSIR, etc. They must look for partnerships with well-established & technically strong players in the industry and see if they can leverage their capabilities in this partnership. It could be for marketing or custom production custom development for their requirements.”
