Xcelris Labs enters into strategic alliance with DMRI
Xcelris Labs, an Ahmedabad based CRO (Contract Research Organization) set up by promoters of Claris Lifesciences Ltd., announced, that it has entered into a strategic alliance agreement with Drug Monitoring and Research Institute (DMRI), Mumbai to provide Bio Analytical /Bio Equivalence services. Under the agreement, Xcelris Labs will work with DMRI as a partner to provide BA/BE services to its clients.

Commenting on this development, Aditya Handa, Director, Xcelris Labs said, "DMRI is an independent CRO (Clinical Research Organization) providing drug research and clinical services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in drug research and development phases and offers wide range of services in the category of Bio Analytical / Bio Equivalence studies with Clinical Trials, which form part of the said research and development phases. The synergy would enable Xcelris Labs to better connect with the end-customers and in the process create value for them in the market place".

Genzyme/MMV announces collaboration with Advinus for malaria therapies
Genzyme Corp, a global name for Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and a not-for-profit virtual research and development (R&D) organization, announced a new collaboration with India's Advinus Therapeutics Ltd. The collaboration seeks to develop new, improved treatments for specific patient groups most at risk for malaria, an often-fatal infectious disease of developing countries, particularly affecting pregnant women and infants.

The ongoing MMV/Genzyme partnership also includes The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. The team has begun to identify promising lead candidates, coming out of its innovative platform for high-throughput screening of several compound libraries. Among the kinds of compounds to be optimized, with the help of Advinus, are those active against key target enzymes that are essential for the survival of the malaria parasite.

"Malaria kills between one and two million people annually, with the majority of victims being children under five and pregnant women," said Dr Chris Hentschel, president and chief executive officer of MMV. "New antimalarial agents are urgently needed to stop this unacceptable loss of life, with eradication as our long-term objective. MMV is excited to be working with innovative research organizations like Genzyme and Advinus to identify these very molecules."

Dr Rashmi Barbhaiya, CEO of Advinus, said, "This collaboration once again confirms the commitment of Advinus and the TATA group to develop medicines for neglected diseases. India today is one of the few countries in the world that has not only the disease burden, but also the capability to research and develop new therapies for these diseases. Advinus, in particular, with its extensive drug discovery and development expertise, is uniquely positioned to work with MMV and Genzyme to address this crucial public health problem."

ISCR launches Mumbai chapter
Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR), a not-for-profit association of organizations, launched its Mumbai Chapter, which will be the headquarters of the western region. The association hopes to enrol 30 member organizations by 2010.

ISCR, which was formed in 2005, recently launched the Bangalore and the Delhi Chapters, the headquarters of the southern and the northern regions respectively.

"The launch of Mumbai Chapter is an important day for ISCR. The number becomes significant as more than 70 per cent of clinical research work done in the country is by ISCR members," said Dr SM Sapatnekar, convener, ISCR Mumbai chapter. Dr. Sapatnekar is also the director of Clinical Research Education and Management Academy (CREMA), a leading institution that provides education in the area of clinical research.

ISCR has a membership from 18 organizations, including Astra Zeneca, CREMA, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer, Neeman, Quintiles, and ClinInvent. In addition, the association also has support from 325 individual members.

India looks for cooperation with Wallonia in biotechnology
The Embassy of Belgium organized an educational seminar for companies and startups in the life science and medical device sectors looking for distribution, strategic alliances, capital and network in Europe, on 22September 2008 in New Delhi.

Rajan Kohli, deputy secretary general, FICCI said on the occasion, " India has a nascent presence in the life sciences sector growing at an annual rate of 30 percent. It needs an ecosystem of academia and government support and DBT is playing a proactive approach in supporting the growth of the industry."

Jean-Pierre Muller, First Secretary, Embassy of Belgium, Wallonia Brussels Economic Commission informed that the country had more than $ 8 billion trade with India with 420 Indian students currently studying in Belgium. "In Biopharma we have Indian participation in Jubilant, Ranbaxy and Matrix Laboratories," he said.

J-C Marcourt, Minister for Economy of the Wallonia Region of Belgium outlined that life sciences is one of the most competitive sectors of Wallonia with the country having developed the world's first vaccine for rubella and meningitis. "We have contributed to global research in AIDS, cancer and neural diseases owing to the collaboration between the manufacturers and the research institutes. The country is home to companies such as Pfizer, Baxter, UCB, GSK Biologicals and Rosentech. The entire value chain ranging from R&D, clinical trials, licensing and marketing can be found in the region. Wallonia is boosting innovation through the creation of networks between companies and academia." Dr. S. Natesh, Senior Advisor (Scientist-H) & Head, International Collaboration, Department of Biotechnology, government of India, gave an overview of the Indian biotech industry and expressed the desire to explore opportunities in the sector with Wallonia.

First meeting of SAARC ministers of science & technology
The First Meeting of SAARC Ministers of Science & Technology was held in New Delhi on September 16, 2008. It was preceded by the Third Meeting of the Technical Committee on Science & Technology and the Meeting of Senior Officials on September 15. The declaration of the ministers to promote science & technology in the development of the region was adopted.

The ministers recognized the need of inculcating a scientific temper amongst the people of South Asia for meeting the developmental challenges of the region and the importance of educating the future generations on science and technology for nurturing the vast pool of scientific and technological manpower in the region.

Noting the region's vast pool of scientific and technological manpower's contribution to ushering in the Green Revolution, White Revolution, and the Revolution in IT and the establishment of the Micro-Credit system in the region, the Ministers reiterated their commitment to strengthen intra-regional cooperation through a Programme of Cooperation in Science & Technology, through establishment of a virtual SAARC Technology Information and a commercialization web portal linking existing technology transfer/licensing organization in SAARC countries.

The ministers also agreed on regional seminars on Renewable Energy, Solid Waste Management, Orthodontics, Water Treatment and Sanitation, with clear modalities for implementation to derive benefits from the cooperation synergy between SAARC member states for the people of South Asia. The meeting agreed to put into operation the SAARC Science Caravan that will travel to all SAARC member states to popularise science amongst the students of the region. The next meeting of the SAARC Ministers of Science & Technology would be held in Colombo in 2009.

Goa and Novo Nordisk launch campaign to treat diabetes
Novo Nordisk Education Foundation, in association with the Goa government has announced the launch of two new healthcare initiatives for the state. It was inaugurated by Vishwajeet Rane, minister of state for health, and Melvin D'Souza, managing trustee, Novo Nordisk Education Foundation.

The first initiative is the plan to organize a mobile diabetes clinic and the second,

a workshop on Diabetic Foot Care conducted by Ms Alethea Foster, a former Consultant Podiatrist at Kings College, London. The Improve Control in Diabetes Mobile Clinic is part of an initiative by Novo Nordisk to take diabetes care to the grassroots level in India.

The Improve Control in Diabetes Mobile Clinic is a van designed to deliver high standards in diabetes detection and treatment facilitation. Equipped with blood glucose monitoring systems, weight check and body mass index platforms as well as patient education materials, the Improve Control in Diabetes Mobile Clinic will encourage doctors along its route to leverage facilities within the bus to monitor and ensure better glycemic control of people in their respective regions.

Commenting on the launch of the Mobile Clinic, Rane, said, "We welcome the Novo Nordisk Education Foundation's initiative in diabetes care for the state of Goa. The Changing Diabetes Barometer project holds promise in ensuring that Goa places diabetes care on top of its healthcare agenda and the state benefits by best practices in diabetes care from across the globe. We aspire to making Goa as a model state in diabetes care and urge people with diabetes in the state to come forward and avail of the various screening and awareness programmes planned."

Novo Nordisk Education Foundation had recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Goa government to implement the 'Changing Diabetes Barometer' initiative in the state and the Improve Control in Diabetes Mobile Clinic is the first step in this direction. The Changing Diabetes Barometer is a major global initiative by Novo Nordisk which aims to capture important dimensions of the fight against diabetes and establish measurability, allowing the tracking and guidance of healthcare improvements.

On the occasion, D'Souza, said, "We are happy to launch the IMPROVE Control in Diabetes Mobile Clinic in Goa and thank the government for its support. This

launch would reiterate our commitment to diabetes care in the state of Goa and help drive widespread awareness about diabetes and in the early detection of the same, so as to prevent the early onset of complications associated with diabetes. Novo Nordisk is committed to facilitating the redefinition of healthcare delivery systems around the needs of people with diabetes and to raising awareness about the global burden of diabetes."

Biocon is the 7th largest biotech employer in the world : Med Ad News
Biocon, India's second largest biotech company based in Bangalore, has been ranked as the 7th largest employer amongst the top global biotechnology companies, according to a report released by Med Ad News. The report takes into consideration drug based firms, as these companies provide the best numbers to track the progress of the sector. Companies have been ranked by number of employees and Biocon Ltd is the only Asian company to feature at Number 7.