A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been singed between Federation of Asian Biotech Association and Biocat of Catalonia in Spain for promoting co-operation between Spain and India in the areas of life science. The MoU was signed during the recent BioAsia conference in Hyderabad.

The biotech pharma companies in Biocat of Catalonia also signed MoUs with Indian pharmaceutical companies. Biocon has now tie-up with Uriach and Salvat Biotech, Dr Reddy's with Salvat Biotech and Avesthagen with Oryzon Genomics. Besides, the Biocat offered port facilities for Shatna Biotech to export its vaccines to Europe.

Biocat president Dr Balcells and chief executive officer Dr Venorell said the "Tie-ups are intended to share each other's knowledge and also possible licensing of manufacturing of generic drugs." In reply to a question, Dr Venorell said the biotech pharma companies in Catalonia may in future give licence to the Indian companies to distribute their drugs and vice-versa".

The Catalonia representative refused to elaborate on the "tie-ups" between the Spain's biotech companies and Indian pharmaceutical companies. Dr Venorell, however, said "We came to India to explore potentialities in the country. They include the possibilities to carry out clinical trials".