US located research-based company Actis Biologics is planning to conduct clinical trials of some of its promising oncology molecules in India. Immediately, the company will do trials for colorectal and liver cancer molecules. The Indian trials will be conducted simultaneous to global trials.

Actis' colorectal cancer molecule has reached phase II B stage of clinical trials in US. Its liver cancer molecule has entered phase I level and has received US FDA approval to complete trials on a fast track basis, said senior company officials.

"Actis would like to do trials for colorectal and liver cancer molecules in India. We have plans to conduct trials for its colorectal cancer molecule, phase II B onwards. Senior officials in DBT (Department of Biotechnology) has assured of a fast track approval for liver cancer trials," said Sanjeev Saxena, cofounder & CEO, Actis Biologics.

The company is in the process of scouting partners for conducting trials in India. "We would prefer to partner with top Indian pharma companies for conducting trials in India. The partnering company could keep the benefit of marketing the molecules across the globe, except, US, Europe and Japan," he said. Actis and the partner company will jointly fund the clinical trials, he said.

"The current market for colorectal cancer is about $4 billion. Leaving aside EU, Japan and US, the market potential for the new molecule will be $400 million. Even by targeting a market share of 20 per cent, the partner would be able to garner a market share of $80 million," said Saxena.

Similar would be the arrangement for liver cancer molecule. Current market size for liver cancer is about $1 billion. There are less than 200,000 liver cancer patients in EU and US. The disease is prevalent predominantly in regions like China, South East Asia and Africa.

The clinical trials for the molecules will be conducted following the international standard protocols, ensured Dr MR Samuel, head of vigilance for trials in India.

"It should take about 1.5 years for trials on colorectal cancer to get over and three years for liver cancer trials to be completed," said Dr. Samuel.

Actis is based in the Bay Area of San Francisco. It was co-founded by Sanjeev Saxena and David Toman.