IBPL, Viropro ink R&D pact

Ahmedabad, Oct 15 (UNI) Intas Biopharmaceuticals Limited (IBPL) and Viropro International have signed an R&D agreement for production of therapeutic protein.

IBPL director Mani Iyer said in a press release here today, ''IBPL is looking to leverage certain proprietary technologies and expertise of Viropro towards co-development of molecule dedicated towards bio-therapeutic products. As part of equity investment in Viropro, USD 50,000 has been sent to Viropro as down payment. IBPL and Viropro, through this contractual agreement, will explore opportunities to manufacture and commercialise the product.'' The contract offers exclusive territories for both companies and the opportunity to work together in non exclusive territories, the release said adding that both the companies will have the right to sub-license the corresponding technologies and materials to the third party through out-licensing or partnership agreements.

In addition, IBPL has secured a first refusal right for new biopharmaceutical products developed by Viropro's subsidiary. IBPL expects to commercialize the product and market it in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Viropro will retain all of Africa.

''We are very proud to finalise the agreement with IBPL,'' said Dr Jean-Marie Dupuy, President and CEO of Viropro.

IBPL, in a planned and phase-wise manner, will screen technologies/new molecules and identify the most promising ones, prioritizing them on the basis of their business potential and compatibility,'' IBPL head (quality and strategic research) Dr Rustom Mody said in the release.

He said the company is set to tap emerging opportunities in Active Biologics Ingredient (ABI) and bio-generics market.

UNI