Intas Biopharma intensifies R&D with focus on Europe

Ahmedabad, Aug 7 (UNI) Leveraging on its European Union's GMP (EU-GMP) certification, Intas Biopharmaceuticals Limited (IBPL) will soon start clinical trials of its Filgrastim brand Neukine in Europe. In a release here today, the company said it has also scheduled its clinical trials of Erythropoietin and Interferon Alpha in the European market next year. The certification gives strong advantage to IBPL as the company is looking to strengthen its presence in Europe through alliances and exploring opportunities of clinical trials in the region. The process of clinical trials is mandatory and a pre-requisite for the company to develop the products and market them in Europe.

Filgrastim is in a class of drugs known as growth factors; it promotes the growth of white blood cells, which help to fight infections. Filgrastim also is used to increase white blood cell counts in adults with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and to treat low white blood cell counts in adults with acute myeloid leukaemia who have received chemotherapy. Filgrastim has been used to increase white blood cell counts in people who have cancer, follow chemotherapy and take medications that lower white blood cell counts. While, Erythropoietin, a glycoprotein hormone produced by kidney, is used in treating anaemia, resulting from chronic renal failure, Interferon Alfa is a natural protein produced by the immune system cells are useful in fighting RNA-virus infection, and is especially useful for Hepatitis B and C.

On the Research&Development (R&D) front, IBPL has significant presence in North America with agreements and MoU with three technology companies. The company, in January 2007, committed Rs 13 crores towards conducting of clinical trials and produce Factor IX, a drug used for treatment of Haemophilia-B, through novel transgenic platform. Thereafter, IBPL inked MoU with Canada-based Viropro Inc.

for an undisclosed molecule and signed an agreement with US-based Virionics for co-development of HPV therapeutic vaccine.

MORE UNI