Ella cautioned students against viewing education as a four-year programme followed immediately by a job. “Biotechnology is not a five-year plan, it’s probably a 50-year plan,” she said, pointing to Bharat Biotech’s own 30-year journey.
She was speaking at the Biotech Conclave 2026, organised by VIT Chennai in association with The Hindu, held in Chennai. Themed ‘Exploring New Frontiers in Science’, the conclave focuses on biomedical research, drug discovery, healthcare technologies, biotechnology innovation, and translating scientific research into applications.
She cited the example of Bharat Biotech’s rotavirus vaccine, that demonstrated the values of playing the long game. It took about 15 years to develop and involved collaboration with institutions in India and the US, she said. Clinical trials involved around 8,000 babies, she added.
Suchitra Ella, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Bharat Biotech at BIOTECH CONCLAVE 2026, presented by VIT Chennai in association with The Hindu, in Chennai. Photo : Bijoy Ghosh | Photo Credit: Bijoy Ghosh
Referring to Bharat Biotech’s crown jewel Covaxin vaccine, she said the pandemic vaccine programme involved 27,000 volunteers across 26–27 medical colleges and generated multiple publications in international peer-reviewed journals. “The conviction and the courage and the commitment that we bring to a project is what will take us through,” she said.
Noting a need for India to move from being a consumer to a creator of technology, Ella said Bharat Biotech invests around 15–20 per cent of its revenues in research and welcomed the government’s ₹1 lakh crore RDI fund for future biotech innovations.
She also spent time interacting directly with students and answering varied queries from them. She urged biotech students to step outside campuses and out of their own comfort zones to gain varied exposure from seniors and peers so as to prepare for the rapidly evolving life sciences sector.
The inaugural session was presided over by G. Viswanathan, founder and chancellor, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), with Suchitra Ella, co-founder and managing director, Bharat Biotech and CII President-Designate, as chief guest. The session was attended by N. Ram, director, The Hindu Group, L.V. Navaneeth, CEO, The Hindu, Suresh Nambath, editor, The Hindu, and G.V. Selvam, vice-president, VIT.
VIT’s Dr. Viswanathan called for greater focus on education, research, and researchers in India, citing the wide gap between India and other nations such as US and China when it comes to publications and patents.
Ram highlighted the contributions of Dr. Viswanathan to education and scientific institution-building, and also lauded the significant role played by Bharat Biotech in India’s public heatlh and life sciences sector.
Published on September 11, 2026