Poultry vaccine maker Hester Bio enters pet care, no fresh investment seen

Is now looking to add dermatology, nutrition, grooming, anti-infective and specialty products in this segment

India's second largest poultry vaccine maker Hester Biosciences Limited is now set to foray into the pet care industry by April 2022.

The Ahmedabad-based company, which is into animal health and animal vaccine, is now looking to add dermatology, nutrition, grooming, anti-infective and specialty products in the pet care segment.

According to Rajiv Gandhi, chief executive officer and managing director of Hester Biosciences, while the foray may not entail any fresh investments, the company is looking at marketing spend ahead of and during the launch.

Currently, the pet care market in India is valued at an estimated Rs 700 crore. While globally pet care forms 30 per cent of the total animal health industry, in India the same stands at 12 per cent.

Gandhi had earlier stated that the company has forecasted a turnover of Rs 8-12 crore in the first year of the foray into pet care based on market potential.

"The goal is to create and innovate products tailored to pets and their needs. Hester plans to eventually expand by way of pet biologicals and diagnostics. The complete portfolio will target both veterinarians and pet parents with offerings that cater to the evolving needs of pets," the company stated on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Hester has been facing some delays in beginning production of Covaxin amid equipment import delays from Europe. The company had earlier stated that it anticipated the same to begin by May 2022.