ABRPL gets RCGM's Nod for Pre-Clinical Evaluation

Bangalore, July 2 (UNI) Avesta Biotherapeutics and Research Pvt Ltd (ABRPL), a JV of Avesthagen Ltd, has received the permission to conduct a pre-clinical safety and efficacy evaluation study for three of the company's biopharmaceutical product development programs.

The Review Committee for Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) was authorised by the Union Department of Biotechnology to examine the ABRPL's applications and the committee had given accord for the evaluation study, a company release said.

These biopharmaceutical products were targeted at therapeutic indications like rheumatoid arthritis, anemia resulting from chronic renal failure and chemotherapy and colorectal cancer.

They were being developed as per global regulatory standards by ABRPL, a joint venture between Avesthagen Limited and Meditab Specialities.

Avesthagen was one of the developers of these high-technology entry barrier products that would eventually be launched in the Indian market.

The Company said these products would progress to clinical evaluation during early 2009 based on the outcome of the pre-clinical evaluation.

Dr Villoo Morawala-Patell founder and CMD of Avesthagen said, "Biopharmaceuticals offer several advantages such as highly effective and potent action, fewer side effects and the potential to actually cure diseases rather than merely treat the symptoms.

These advantages, combined with the increasing number of new diseases that can be treated with biopharmaceuticals, are driving enhanced production of these drugs worldwide." UNI RS MV GM1910