Bristol-Myers Squibb-Biocon to set up rsch facility

Bangalore, Mar 21: Syngene International Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Biotech major Biocon Limited and global pharma major Bristol-Myers Squibb today joined hands to establish a new research facility at Biocon Park here.

Speaking after the ground breaking ceremony, Biocon Group Chairman Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said the multi-billion dollar facility built approximately on 150,000 sq ft would ultimately house over 400 scientists to help advance Bristol-Myers Squibb's discovery and early drug development in India.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute Vice President Dr Francis Cuss said that the new facility would be dedicated to discovery and developing innovative medicines that would address significant medical need in critical disease areas.

''We can chase the strides to better treatment to patients by building a high quality drug discovery and developing pipeline'', he added.

Dr Shaw said that Research has become important for Bicon and this new venture would help in bringing new medicines and new drug molecules for the world market.

Stating that the new facility would be a part of Biocon, she said that the new facility was likely to contribute 25 per cent during the next five years after completion. It would also help to further develop integrated capabilities in medicinal chemistry, biology, drug metabolism and pharmaceutical development.

UNI