Hilleman Laboratories
Hilleman Laboratories is a Singapore-based joint venture between MSD and Wellcome Trust that develops affordable vaccines for outbreak-prone diseases affecting low- and middle-income countries, including an oral cholera vaccine (HILLCHOL) and investigational Ebola vaccines built on its rVSV platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersGurugram, India
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hilleman Laboratories does
Hilleman Laboratories is a Singapore-incorporated joint venture between MSD (Merck & Co.) and the Wellcome Trust, established to develop vaccines for outbreak-prone diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries. The company operates a small core team (11–50 employees) with operational nodes in Singapore, Gurgaon, and partnered manufacturing sites in Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, India. Its product pipeline is anchored by three programs: HILLCHOL, an oral cholera vaccine built on a proprietary genetically engineered Hikojima bacterial strain that protects against both Ogawa and Inaba serotypes, commercially launched in India with Bharat Biotech in 2024 with approximately 200 million doses of annual capacity; an investigational Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine using MSD's licensed rVSV platform, funded by CEPI; and an updated Zaire ebolavirus vaccine being co-developed with SK bioscience and IDT Biologika to enable standard refrigerator (2–8°C) storage instead of −70°C.
The company's technology foundation combines MSD's rVSV viral-vector platform, originally validated through the Ervebo Zaire Ebola vaccine, with proprietary bacterial strain engineering and thermostability formulation work. Strategic focus on thermostable, low-cost vaccines for remote and resource-limited settings is a deliberate design constraint embedded across all programs. The bundle of platform access, manufacturing partnerships, and WHO-aligned regulatory positioning is intended to lower both cost-of-goods and cold-chain barriers that historically constrained vaccine access in endemic regions.
Hilleman's business model is grant- and partnership-driven rather than commercially transactional. Primary capital inflows come from CEPI (up to ~$38.5M committed across the two Ebola programs), with additional revenue mechanics from licensing and technology transfer to manufacturing partners (SK bioscience, Bharat Biotech) and emerging product sales to LMIC governments through national immunization programs and, pending, WHO prequalification pathways. End customers are governments of endemic countries (India for cholera, DRC, Uganda, and West African states for Ebola) and global health procurers such as WHO, Gavi, and UNICEF, with pricing structured for affordability rather than margin maximization, consistent with its non-profit mission.
Hilleman Laboratories firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hilleman Laboratories
- Legal name
- Hilleman Laboratories Pte. Ltd.
- Website
- https://hilleman-labs.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hilleman Laboratories is a Singapore-based joint venture between MSD and Wellcome Trust that develops affordable vaccines for outbreak-prone diseases affecting low- and middle-income countries, including an oral cholera vaccine (HILLCHOL) and investigational Ebola vaccines built on its rVSV platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hilleman Laboratories industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vaccines
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Infectious Disease & Pandemic Preparedness Vaccines (emerging pathogens) (HLAAAEAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pandemic Preparedness & Rapid-Response Vaccines (HLAIAEAF), Seasonal & Endemic Vaccines (e.g., Influenza) (HLAIAEAD), Immunization & Vaccine Delivery Programs (BPADAIAB), Funding, Reimbursement & Vaccines-for-Children (VFC)/Public Purchase Programs (HLAJAHAK)
Keywords
Where Hilleman Laboratories is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gurugram
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Hilleman Laboratories business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Vaccine Development and Manufacturing: Hilleman Laboratories develops and manufactures vaccines for outbreak-prone diseases targeting low and middle-income countries. Revenue is generated through product sales to governments and global health organizations, with pricing structured for affordability in endemic regions.
- Licensing and Technology Transfer: The company licenses its vaccine technology platforms and provides technical expertise to manufacturing partners like SK bioscience and Bharat Biotech.
- CEPI Funding for Vaccine Development: Received $8.5 million from CEPI for Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine clinical development and up to $30 million for Zaire ebolavirus vaccine improvements. Funding supports research, manufacturing process improvement, and clinical development activities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Affordable pricing for low-resource settings |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Hilleman Laboratories product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hilleman Laboratories develops and manufactures affordable vaccines for outbreak-prone diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, using proprietary platforms such as the rVSV vector technology (licensed from MSD's Ervebo) and a genetically engineered Hikojima bacterial strain. Its current portfolio includes the HILLCHOL oral cholera vaccine (launched with Bharat Biotech in India), an investigational Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine, and an updated Zaire ebolavirus vaccine program targeting thermostable, low-cost production for endemic regions.
Product overview
Hilleman Laboratories is a Singapore-based joint venture between pharmaceutical company MSD (Merck & Co.) and the British charity Wellcome Trust. The company focuses on developing vaccines for diseases affecting low- and middle-income countries. Its product portfolio includes Hillchol, an oral cholera vaccine developed with Bharat Biotech using a genetically engineered Hikojima strain; an investigational Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine using the rVSV platform; and ongoing Zaire ebolavirus vaccine development in partnership with SK bioscience and IDT Biologika.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hillchol (HILLCHOL®) Oral Cholera Vaccine An oral cholera vaccine built on a single genetically engineered Hikojima bacterial strain that protects against both Ogawa and Inaba cholera serotypes, designed to be more affordable for low- and middle-income countries and manufactured in partnership with Bharat Biotech.
- Bundibugyo Ebola Vaccine Candidate
Quantifiable outcome
- Vaccine stable in standard refrigerators (2-8°C) for months, eliminating ultra-cold storage requirements
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Hilleman Laboratories
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hilleman Laboratories technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Hilleman Laboratories partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and major.
- MSD (Merck & Co.)coreMSD is a co-founder of Hilleman Laboratories, providing the rVSV platform technology from its Ervebo Ebola vaccine. MSD provides technical consulting, manufacturing expertise, and platform access for new vaccine development against emerging strains.
- Wellcome TrustcoreWellcome Trust is a co-founder of Hilleman Laboratories as a British charitable foundation. The joint venture combines MSD's vaccine expertise with Wellcome's global health mission to develop vaccines for outbreak-prone diseases.
- Oxford UniversitysupportingOxford University is developing a separate Ebola vaccine using AstraZeneca technology for the Bundibugyo strain outbreak, working in parallel with Hilleman Laboratories' efforts.
- SK biosciencemajorSK bioscience leads development of updated manufacturing processes for Zaire ebolavirus vaccine alongside German affiliate IDT Biologika. The partnership aims to improve yields and thermostability for better accessibility in low-resource settings.
- IDT BiologikamajorGerman affiliate of SK bioscience handling drug product development and manufacturing process improvements for Ebola vaccines, focusing on thermostability and yield optimization.
- Bharat BiotechcoreHilleman Laboratories and Bharat Biotech jointly launched the Hillchol oral cholera vaccine in India following Phase III trials. Bharat Biotech handles manufacturing at Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar facilities and is pursuing WHO prequalification for global distribution.
- University of GothenburgsupportingUniversity of Gothenburg collaborated in the development of the Hillchol oral cholera vaccine using the Hikojima bacterial strain technology.
- Gotovax ABsupportingGotovax AB participated in the research collaboration for developing the Hillchol oral cholera vaccine with the Hikojima strain.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hilleman Laboratories competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bharat Biotech: India-based vaccine developer and manufacturer and Hilleman's co-development and manufacturing partner on Hillchol oral cholera vaccine; both target affordable vaccines for outbreak-prone diseases in LMICs and share the India-based manufacturing footprint.
- SK bioscience: Korean vaccine developer and Hilleman's partner on the CEPI-funded Zaire ebolavirus vaccine improvement program; comparable in scale and emerging-disease vaccine focus, with broader commercial vaccine portfolio.
- Biological E: India-based vaccine manufacturer focused on affordable pediatric and emerging disease vaccines, including WHO-prequalified products. Directly comparable in mission and cost-driven model to Hilleman's LMIC-focused vaccine programs.
- Bavarian Nordic: Develops and manufactures vaccines for infectious diseases including Ebola (it took over Ervebo manufacturing from MSD). Directly relevant as a competing supplier of Ebola vaccines built on related platforms for outbreak response.
- IDT Biologika: German biopharmaceutical manufacturer and Hilleman/SK bioscience's drug-product partner for the Zaire ebolavirus vaccine; comparable as a contract vaccine manufacturer for global health and outbreak response.
Emerging players
- International Vaccine Institute (IVI): International organization dedicated to developing and introducing vaccines for LMICs, particularly against neglected and outbreak-prone diseases. Comparable in global-health vaccine mission, partnership model with manufacturers, and donor-funded structure.
- Emergent BioSolutions: U.S.-based developer of vaccines and therapeutics for emerging infectious diseases including Ebola; relevant as a comparator in the outbreak-response vaccine space though primarily commercial rather than global-health mission driven.
- Oxford University / Jenner Institute (Ebola programs): Developing a competing Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine using AstraZeneca technology in parallel to Hilleman; directly comparable platform mission and target outbreak, representing head-to-head competition for donor funding and country adoption.
Broad incumbents
- Serum Institute of India: World's largest vaccine manufacturer by doses, producing low-cost vaccines (including oral cholera) for UNICEF/Gavi supply to LMICs; competes with Hilleman/Bharat for global cholera and pediatric vaccine tenders despite broader portfolio.
Others
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI): Hilleman's primary funder across Ebola programs and a key shaper of equitable access commitments. Not a competitor, but a critical ecosystem counterpart that defines the regulatory and funding pathway for Hilleman's pipeline.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hilleman Laboratories social profiles
Digital presenceHilleman Laboratories financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hilleman Laboratories leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Hilleman Laboratories funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
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Hilleman Laboratories M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hilleman Laboratories
What does Hilleman Laboratories do?
Hilleman Laboratories develops and manufactures affordable vaccines for outbreak-prone diseases that disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, using proprietary platforms such as the rVSV vector technology (licensed from MSD's Ervebo) and a genetically engineered Hikojima bacterial strain. Its current portfolio includes the HILLCHOL oral cholera vaccine (launched with Bharat Biotech in India), an investigational Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine, and an updated Zaire ebolavirus vaccine program targeting thermostable, low-cost production for endemic regions.
Is Hilleman Laboratories a public or private company?
Hilleman Laboratories is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Hilleman Laboratories founded?
Hilleman Laboratories was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hilleman Laboratories based?
Hilleman Laboratories is headquartered in Gurugram, India, in the Asia region.
How does Hilleman Laboratories make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Vaccine Development and Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are licensing and Technology Transfer and CEPI Funding for Vaccine Development.
Who are Hilleman Laboratories's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bharat Biotech, SK bioscience, Biological E, Bavarian Nordic and IDT Biologika. Emerging players are International Vaccine Institute (IVI), Emergent BioSolutions and Oxford University / Jenner Institute (Ebola programs). Serum Institute of India is listed as a broad incumbent. Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is listed as an others.
Does Hilleman Laboratories have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hilleman Laboratories.
What industry is Hilleman Laboratories in?
Hilleman Laboratories's product category is Vaccines. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAEAC, Infectious Disease & Pandemic Preparedness Vaccines (emerging pathogens), with a secondary code of HLAIAEAF, Pandemic Preparedness & Rapid-Response Vaccines. Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 2836.