Avesthagen inks MoU with Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation for biosimilars

Avesta Biotherapeutic and Research Pvt Ltd (ABRPL), a joint venture between Avesthagen and Meditab Specialities (Cipla group), has signed an MoU with Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation.

ABRPL, in order to achieve early market access, has identified Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, which will enable ABRPL to enhance the infrastructure needs with an objective to accelerate its eleven biosimilar product development program.

Malaysian Biotech Corporation is an agency under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and owned wholly by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated. It identifies value propositions in the biotechnology sector in both R&D and commerce and supports these ventures via financial assistance, and developmental and facilitation services and are desirous of facilitating ABRPL's investment in Malaysia.

Dr Villoo Morawala Patell, founder and managing director of Avesthagen said, "Malaysia's commitment to the advancement of science and technology is well known and therefore I am sure that Avesthagen's relationship with Malaysian Biotech Corporation will see a global need for biosimilars. Let us work towards the success of this unique south-south cooperation."

ABRPL, through this MOU, would like to establish a Malaysian legal presence and would place the intellectual property rights for the product with ABRPL Malaysia. This would also give ABRPL Malaysia an opportunity to obtain the BioNexus status offered by the Government of Malaysia as well as apply for any relevant incentives as soon as practicable. Malaysian Biotech Corp has also agreed to facilitate the BioNexus status application, however it would depend on eligibility.

Medical practitioners, experts suggest diagnosis key to management of diabetes

Bio-Rad Laboratories recently organized a seminar on diagnosis and management of diabetes. The seminar focused on the need to manage the disorder and the role of health insurance companies in managing it.

Bio-Rad in association with various agencies has been advocating for the cause of diabetes management across all major cities in India. Speaking at the event in Mumbai, renowned consultant physician and endocrinologist, Dr SM Sadikot, said, "Diabetes is the most common and amongst the most dangerous lifestyle related diseases in the country". He said, "India being the diabetes capital of the world, needs renewed commitment from all quarters in its fight against diabetes". He further added "HbA1c has been recognized as the most effective way for diagnosis and management of diabetes the worldover. It's time that we move on with the traditional tests which are often misleading and might not give a correct picture".

The recent times have seen a major thrust on diabetes management by the health agencies in India, especially due to the fact that India has been declared as the diabetes capital of the world. Diagnosis of diabetes is an important facet in the management of the disorder, as early detection alerts an individual and helps him tackle diabetes better.

Apart from renowned medical practitioners and researchers from both India and abroad, representatives from the country's leading diagnostic laboratories were present at the seminar. Dhiren Wagle, country manager, Bio-Rad Laboratories, said, "Bio-Rad in association with like-minded associations is committed in its endeavour of spreading awareness on diabetes management through HbA1c testing, which is one of the key parameters to manage and control your glycemic level in the blood."

BioServe selected by SCCOR for study on thoracic aortic disease

BioServe has announced that it has been selected by Houston-based Specialized Clinical Center of Research (SCCOR) for a novel study aimed at identifying the genetic cause of thoracic aortic disease. The SCCOR is a collaborative program by University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, Baylor College of Medicine and University of Texas Medical Branch. Under terms of the agreement, BioServe will provide the SCCOR researchers with access to certain unique sample sets from its Global Repository of over 600,000 human DNA, tissue and serum samples linked to detailed clinical and demographic data to assist in identifying genes that are predictive of the development and progression of thoracic aortic diseases. Thoracic aortic disease is the 15th leading cause of death in the US, with aortic dissections being the 13th leading cause of death in people between the ages of 55 and 64.

"Through this landmark study we hope to define DNA sequence variants in a few target genes and their interacting environmental risk factors that are responsible for a significant proportion of the thoracic aortic diseases. By identifying the underlying and specific genetic causes of thoracic aortic disease we will provide doctors with the ability to predict which patients are at higher risk of aortic rupture, and treat them earlier," said Xin Li Wang, a professor and director in the cardiothoracic research laboratory in the division of cardiothoracic surgery of the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine.

Kevin Krenitsky, CEO of BioServe, said, "We are excited to partner with the Houston SCCOR on this significant genetic study of thoracic aortic disease. Our work with the Houston SCCOR will contribute to the genetic understanding of a debilitating disease, and provide the foundation for improved risk assessment and early intervention, taking us a step closer to a personalized medicine regimen."

New product approvals for Zydus Cadila from USFDA

Zydus Cadila has received three product approvals from the USFDA in quick succession. The group has received approvals to market Benzonatate tablets 100 and 200 mg, Naproxen tablets and tentative approval for Amlodipine Besylate tablets 2.5, 5 and 10 mg.

The branded sales in the US market of Benzonatate tablets, which falls in the cough-suppresant segment, was estimated at $134 million in 2006 as per NDC. The branded sales of Amlodipine Besylate tablets, an anti-hypertensive, was estimated at $2.74 billion in 2006 and that of Naproxen Tablets, which falls in the analgesic segment, was estimated at $0.67 billion in 2006 as per NDC Health.

The group will market all three drugs through its US subsidiary Zydus Pharmaceuticals. The group now has 27 approvals since the commencement of filing process in FY 2003-04. So far, the group has filed 60 ANDAs and 51 DMFs.

Lilly tuberculosis partnership honored by global business coalition

Eli Lilly and Company is being recognized for conceiving and implementing a global partnership to address the multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) pandemic.

Lilly's pioneering MDR-TB partnership began in 2003, when the company dedicated $70 million in funding to support a multi-pronged strategy to increase the supply and availability of effective drugs for treating the complex and life-threatening disease; training for front-line health care personnel; and efforts to focus global resources on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of MDR-TB.

In March 2007, the company recommitted an additional $50 million to the Lilly MDR-TB partnership, which today consists of an international alliance of 14 public and private organizations, including businesses, humanitarian organizations, academic institutions, and professional health care associations.

"Lilly is honored to be among the esteemed organizations recognized by the global business coalition," said Sidney Taurel, Lilly's chairman and chief executive officer. "We are pleased to share this recognition with the international alliance of organizations that have joined our battle to stop the spread of MDR-TB. Through our collective efforts, we are committed to providing the global resources necessary to improve the prevention and treatment of patients afflicted by this deadly disease."

"Eli Lilly and Company has set a new standard in the corporate fight against tuberculosis, and its Lilly MDR-TB partnership in particular will serve as a superlative model for other businesses around the world to follow," said GBC President Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. "The business community plays a vital role in fighting global epidemics, and Eli Lilly and Company has demonstrated that the private sector can truly make a positive difference in this effort."

HealthCare Global Enterprises, GE Healthcare launch molecular imaging center

HealthCare Global Enterprises and GE Healthcare announced a strategic oncology partnership to address the growing oncology needs in India. HealthCare Global Enterprises has set up an advanced GMP and FDA compliant Molecular Imaging Center (MIC) in Bangalore. The facility is the first of its kind in India and has commenced operations. GE Healthcare's advanced medical technologies have been chosen to provide diagnostic services in the areas of oncology, cardiology and neurology. The center is equipped with state-of-the-art molecular imaging systems including a GE Discovery STe, GE PETTrace medical cyclotron and Tacerlab MX automated Chemistry Lab and Infinia dual head nuclear gamma camera system.

The reason GE was selected for the project was due to the technological expertise and the company's extensive portfolio. "With a comprehensive facility such as the HCG, a diverse range of solutions are required. GE demonstrated an attractive proposition because as a key healthcare infrastructure provider, they presented a holistic approach to cater for multiple aspects of HCGs projects seamlessly," said Dr Ajai Kumar, chairman, HealthCare Global Enterprises.

"Molecular imaging has huge potential to enable detection of diseases at a much earlier stage and change the way we manage the patient today. Molecular imaging techniques in combination with specific biomarkers are helping physicians to choose suitable medications for a particular patient, predict and monitor the effects of those medications and personalize patients' treatments - hence contributing to a more efficient and higher quality treatment of common maladies like cancer, cardiovascular diseases or neurological disorders," said V Raja, president and CEO, GE Healthcare. "Our vision is to identify and treat the molecular causes of diseases long before the patient ever experiences any symptoms and GE is at the forefront of developing these early health solutions that will transform the future of healthcare."

"We are excited to begin this cooperation with GE Healthcare, the leading supplier of healthcare solutions. Together, we will provide the healthcare sector in the region with sophisticated and unparalleled molecular imaging and diagnostic services, leveraging on the world-class facilities offered by our centre," said Dr Ajai Kumar.

GE Healthcare's has been associated with HCG for over a decade. HCG is looking forward to setting up similar centers across the country through this strategic partnership with GE Healthcare.

InterfaceFLOR to expand India operations

InterfaceFLOR, a worldwide leader in the manufacture of modular commercial flooring announced the setting up of a 100 percent subsidiary, InterfaceFLOR India with headquarters in Bangalore. The company has also set up sales offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.

InterfaceFLOR is the modular flooring division of Interface based in Atlanta, USA. It has won numerous design and innovation awards for its market-leading modular floor covering products. InterfaceFLOR makes and sells the industry's largest and most diverse range of carpet tiles.

Announcing the India expansion, Lindsey Parnell, president and CEO, InterfaceFLOR in Europe, Middle East, Africa and India, said "We have been selling carpet tiles for commercial use in India since 2001 primarily to the office segment. In the last 7 years, we have sold more than 1.4 million sqmt of carpet tiles in India and have built a base of over 200 customers."

"In response to customer demands we have set up a full service operation in India offering a full range of products and services to customers and business partners. We expect a 30 percent year-on-year growth and hope to achieve the one million-sqm mark in sales in 2009," added Lindsey Parnell.