In a path-breaking move for the biotech-pharmaceutical industry in India, Bangalore-based Avestha Gengraine Technologies Pvt. Ltd (Avesthagen) and Cipla Ltd. have embarked on a collaborative biopharmaceuticals development programme. The programme will result in the release of new generation of targeted therapies.

The partnership, which initially focuses on development of biopharmaceuticals in the area of auto-immune disorders, is expected to widen, with a bouquet of products in the pipeline to cater to other segments, such as CVD (cardio vascular disorders) and Cancer. The partnership is open-ended and the release of the first bio-therapeutic is expected in two to three years time.

Under the terms of the sponsored research agreement, Avesthagen will focus on the research and product development all the way through clinical trials, while Cipla will concentrate on scale-up, marketing and distribution.

The synergistic win-win Avesthagen-Cipla umbrella tie-up is in line with similar deals seen in mature US markets. The technology development prowess of Avesthagen is complemented by Cipla's scale-up and marketing skills. The tie-up would strengthens the growing impact of biopharmaceuticals on a market presently dominated by chemical entities, according to a company release.

The Indian biopharmaceutical business, presently estimated at $200 million, is expected to grow to about $3.3 billion by 2007-08, dominated by recombinant proteins, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. The Avestha-Cipla tie-up hopes to capitalize on this opportunity as a base, to catapult it into markets abroad.

Confirming the development, Dr. Villoo Morawala Patell, Founder & CEO, Avesthagen stated - "I believe that India and Avesthagen in particular, have the capacity and capability to drive the development of new bio-therapeutics and this deal is the first step in that direction. We are excited to work with a visionary company like Cipla Ltd."

Avestha Gengraine Technologies is India's leading fully integrated biotechnology and Bioinformatics Company, focusing on the convergence between food, pharma and clinical genomics leading to preventive personalised medicine. Avesthagen provides innovative solutions for global challenges in agriculture and health problems in the areas of degenerative conditions, metabolic disorders and infectious diseases. The company's internationally recognized business model is built on the synergetic links between R&D provided and on going initiatives for novel product development.

Cipla is a leading pharmaceutical company in India by ORG IMS. Its strength lies in manufacturing bulk drugs and formulations for treating a wide range of therapeutic categories namely Asthma, Cardiovascular diseases, Bacterial Infections, Cancer, AIDS etc. Among the Indian Pharmaceutical companies, the company has lodged largest number of bulk drug registrations with the US FDA. Cipla's development initiatives are focused on new technologies and drug delivery systems