Dr. Krishna Ella, an accomplished scientist and entrepreneur is a prominent figure in the field of vaccines and biotherapeutics. An alumnus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he has made remarkable contributions to the development of innovative vaccines and therapeutics critical to the prevention and control of neglected and emerging infectious diseases in the developing world.

In 1996, Dr. Ella, alongside his wife Suchitra, envisioned Bharat Biotech and transformed the company into a global powerhouse, pioneering breakthroughs in vaccine research, development, and manufacturing.

Dr. Ella’s pioneering efforts in developing affordable and accessible vaccines and therapeutics for humans and animals have globally revolutionised the healthcare landscape. Bharat Biotech Group has delivered over 9 billion doses across the globe.

Led by his vision of discovering innovative remedies for emerging world healthcare challenges, Bharat Biotech has developed 17 life-saving vaccines, filed 415 patents, and has ensured equitable access to safe, quality-assured vaccines for people of all ages in 125 countries.

Dr. Ella's illustrious innovation includes the path-breaking Rotavac®, India's first new molecule and the world's most affordable vaccine against Rotavirus-induced diarrheal infections and deaths. This happened alongside the development of the world's first WHO-prequalified Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine, Typbar TCV®, through an incredible human challenge study conducted at Oxford University.

COVAXIN®, India's first indigenous vaccine against COVID-19, is another testament to Dr. Ella's commitment to making India self-reliant in facing the life-threatening disease and has emerged as a beacon of innovation. He further solidified his stature as a pioneer in new vaccine discovery by developing the world's first intranasal COVID-19 vaccine, iNCOVACC®.

Dr. Krishna Ella’s focus on emerging diseases led to the first-ever global patents for Chikungunya and Zika Virus vaccine candidates including the development of the first Investigational New Drug (IND) molecule. Peer-reviewed research published in renowned scientific and medical journals like The Lancet, Nature, and Vaccine emphasizes the exceptional scientific quality and his impactful contributions.

His exceptional foresight, leadership acumen and profound understanding of infectious diseases earned him global recognition and invitations to thought leadership events. He was also invited as a distinguished speaker at the G20 Health Summit in New Delhi, India, which hosted over 120 international healthcare policymakers. Harvard University invited him to share invaluable experiences and insights with students through case studies, honouring his expertise.

Dr. Ella plays an active role in shaping India's science, research, and innovation policies, serving on more than 15 key governmental committees. He is a key member of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) Society and a board member of the Global Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin.

Dr. Ella has won numerous prestigious national and international awards. He is the recipient of 6 honorary degrees including the prestigious honorary degree from the University of Wisconsin- Madison, USA - the 1st Indian to receive such honour. In 2022, Dr. Ella received India’s third-highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan, for his outstanding contribution towards science and public health. In the same year, he was bestowed with the UW-Madison Distinguished Alumni Award.

Dr. Ella is widely acknowledged as the "Father of Genome Valley" – home to 400+ companies and a testament to his visionary aspirations for the country, which transformed Hyderabad into India's first unified cluster for Life Sciences R&D and clean manufacturing activities. The Ella Foundation founded by him propels innovation in science, research, and knowledge sharing.

Dr. Ella's dream is to foster a sustainable ecosystem of healthy individuals, livestock, and novel vaccines, ensuring a healthier future for all.