Actis Biologics, a US-based pharmaceutical company, is all set to sign a joint venture agreement with Innovassynth Technologies to source nucleosides and has teamed up with Shanta Biotechnics for its clinical trials in India.

Under the agreement, Innovassynth, a Mumbai-based contract research company, will manufacture and supply nucleosides, a major ingredient in olego nucleosides, to Actis Biologics. Actis Biologics is currently undertaking phase II-b trial of olego nucleosides for colorectal cancer in US. Innovassynth, formerly known as Chemicals Division of Indian Organic Chemicals Ltd, is one of the largest suppliers of nucleosides in the world. Actis Biologics will have majority stake in the JV, to be signed within two weeks.

Actis Biologics has also tied up with Shanta Biotechnics for conducting clinical trials of its leading cancer molecules. “The trial for olego nucleosides is under phase II-b trial in US and Shanta will hold its Phase II and III trials in India. The trials are expected to start within 2 months. If it gets approval, Shantha will market the drug in India,” Sanjeev Saxena, cofounder and CEO of Actis Biologics told Pharmabiz.

Actis’ one molecule for liver cancer is under phase I trial and other molecules for malignant melanoma, kidney carcinoma, lymphoma, breast cancer and prostrate cancer are under pre-clinical trials in US.

Innovasynth has its manufacturing and research facilities spread over 33-hectares of land at Khopoli near Mumbai. It has infrastructure facilities for contract R&D, custom synthesis and contract manufacturing. At Khopoli, the company has five manufacturing facilities, apart from a plant manufacturing coloured chemicals. Innovasynth has five laboratories at Khopoli, of which one is for nucleosides, one for nutraceuticals and the rest for pharma and other chemicals.