The Bengaluru campus of Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR-IVRI) was established in 1972 by the assistance under DANIDA programme of Government of Denmark with the objective of large-scale production of Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine. The campus, spread over 135 acres of land, has establishments at two locations: (i) Hebbal campus where the main research activity is being carried out, and (ii) Yelahanka, where animal experimentation facility exists, with biosafety level 3 containment.
Country's FMD vaccine production technology was first implemented at this campus. Since inception until the year 2010, ICAR-IVRI, Bengaluru campus has engaged in production and improvement of FMD vaccine. During 30 years period (1980 to 2010), a total of about 175 million doses of monovalent FMD vaccine (which equals to about 52 million polyvalent vaccine) was produced. The vaccine was supplied to different states for effective implementation of FMD control programme and thus contributing to the reduction of disease incidence.
During the last 48 years, besides the vaccine production, research on different aspects of FMD vaccine was undertaken, with the objective of improving the quality of FMD vaccine. Since 2010-11, emphasis has been given on strengthening the research on development of improved vaccines and companion diagnostics for FMD with contemporary research tools. The availability of FMD vaccine research related expertise has led us to linkages and collaborations with private partners as well as International research organizations. The institute is continuously striving for excellence in translational research towards improving the animal health.