Hester Biosciences Limited is an India-based animal healthcare company engaged in providing vaccines, health products, and diagnostic laboratory services. The company stands as one of the leading animal healthcare companies and the second-largest poultry vaccine manufacturer in India. Founded by Mr. Rajiv Gandhi in 1987, it now has a presence in over 30 countries with key markets in India, Nepal, and Tanzania.
Over the years, it has transformed from a small proprietary trading business into Asia's largest one-stop animal biological manufacturing facility. The company was incorporated in April 1987 and is principally engaged in the manufacturing of Poultry Vaccines and Large Animal Vaccines and trading of Poultry, Large Animal, and Petcare health products, having its manufacturing setup at Meda Adraj Village, Mehsana District, Gujarat.
The company operates through four segments: Poultry Healthcare, Animal Healthcare, Petcare, and Others. While operating across four broad verticals of Poultry Vaccines, Poultry Health Products, Animal Vaccines, and Animal Health Products, the company provides services like seroprofiling kits and diagnostic labs for poultry flocks, and mastitis control programs for cattle.
The products and services offered include over 51 vaccines and 70 health products. In addition, it offers a vast selection of pharmaceuticals, feed supplements, and disinfectants for poultry and large animals. The company also provides seromonitoring for poultry farms and mastitis prevention programs for cattle farms. The company owns and operates Asia's largest single-location animal biological manufacturing facility.
Hester Biosciences holds commanding positions in several key vaccine segments. The company is the world's largest manufacturer and supplier of PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants) vaccines, having approximately 75% of the world market. It has a 70%+ market share in Goat Pox vaccine in India and is also the second-largest poultry vaccine manufacturer, with approximately 35% market share in India. Hester is also the first commercial manufacturer of goat pox vaccine in India and manufactures PPR vaccines from both Nigerian and Sungri strains.
Hester Biosciences also has an R&D unit at Kadi and develops new animal vaccines, an example of which is the Goat Pox vaccine Live-Uttarkashi strain used in India. The company's research and development capabilities enable it to maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving animal healthcare sector.
The company has built a presence in several regions of Africa and in numerous nations, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, and Bangladesh. It has partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, GALVmed, Golchha Organisation, Novapharma, etc. It markets the veterinary products of many international companies including Ghen Corporation, Japan; Maine Biological Laboratories, US; Idexx Corporation, US; International Diagnostic Systems Corporation, US; Biogal Galed Laboratories, Israel; and Kemin Europa, Belgium.
The company is planning to increase its exports to the African region following good market potential and the need for animal vaccines in that region. Hester expects export revenues from Africa to increase to about 70 percent in the coming years from 40 to 45 percent currently. The Company incorporated a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary, Hester Biosciences Africa Limited in Tanzania. During the year 2018-19, Hester Biosciences Limited incorporated a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary Hester Biosciences Kenya Limited in Kenya. The Company commissioned the vaccine manufacturing plant at Tanzania in 2021.
- Market Capitalization: ₹1,570 crore (as of May 21, 2025)
- 52-week High: ₹3379
- 52-week Low: ₹1242.95
- P/E Ratio: 55.23
- P/B Ratio: 5.01
- Dividend Yield: 0.39%
- Promoter Holding: 53.73% (as of Mar 2025)
- Net Profit: Rose 45.53% to ₹27.49 crore in FY25 (vs. ₹18.89 crore in FY24).
- Sales: Rose 2.15% to ₹311.10 crore in FY25 (vs. ₹304.55 crore in FY24).
- Q4 FY25: Net profit declined 73.94% to ₹1.29 crore (vs. ₹4.95 crore in Q4 FY24). Sales rose 3.37% to ₹81.93 crore (vs. ₹79.26 crore in Q4 FY24).
- Q3 FY25: Net profit rose 192.96% to ₹11.66 crore (vs. ₹3.98 crore in Q3 FY24).
Hester Biosciences' Q4 & FY25 earnings showed 17% standalone profit growth, Africa expansion, and plans for Avian Influenza vaccine launch in Q2 FY26. Hester is also prioritizing international expansion, with a strong focus on scaling its Africa operations and strengthening its presence in existing and new geographies, aligned with its long-term vision of global leadership in animal healthcare.
The company launched the Petcare Division in 2022 and introduced 3 products for anti-infective, specialty nutrition, parasiticides, and grooming. The company is actively looking to expand further into the pet healthcare space.
Hester Biosciences continues to focus on innovation and expansion, with strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening its position in both domestic and international markets while diversifying its product portfolio to capture emerging opportunities in the animal healthcare sector.
