Transgene Biotek, the Hyderabad-based biotech company, is planning to develop various human vaccines such as meningococcal meningitis and conjugate vaccines.

Dr K Koteswara Rao, chairman and managing director of Transgene said the company is planning to initiate phase I and II trials on multiple myeloma in Europe, once it obtains IRB approvals. The candidate vaccine will be out-licensed to MNCs in the US or Europe before the phase III trials, following its basic business model.

Transgene has recently developed two cancer drugs using novel approach to attack the specific gene targets involved in the development of different cancers and this development has been achieved in collaboration with scientists based in USA. The cancer drugs are for multiple myeloma and for oesophageal cancer and these are based on targeted immuno-conjugate approach using monoclonal antibodies attacking specific gene targets.

Dr Rao said, the company could identify five gene targets in multiple myeloma and four gene targets in oesophageal cancer. Both these drugs have shown good response both in in-vitro and in-vivo animal studies. The company has already filed patents in USA and PCT countries covering gene targets and the novel delivery vector systems. These two drugs shall be undergoing pre-clinical studies in Europe soon after the regulatory approvals are received.

He added, Transgene is working on three more drugs in the oncology segment based on gene silencing and the company expects to achieve major milestones in this direction by December 2006, he added.

The company has also developed technology for Sero Group B Vaccine. It has filed a patent in the US and PCT countries. The vaccine will be commercialised in the current financial year. It is expecting developments in its quadriva-lent meningitis vaccine before October 2006.

Transgene has also developed an oral delivery platform for insulin and hepatitis B vaccine. The company is currently negotiating with two companies to out-license this technology, he said. The pre-clinical trials on oral delivery of insulin and hepatitis B have demonstrated positive results. The drug is to be administered in liquid form as oral drops.

Meanwhile, the company is establishing pilot scale facilities in its existing facility at Bollaram, near Hyderabad, which will be US FDA approvable. The facilities are expected to be ready before end of 2007.