Biocon Ltd and US-based CytoSorbents Corporation have expanded the scope of their strategic partnership for CytoSorbents’ CytoSorb cytokine reduction therapy to treat patients experiencing severe whole body inflammation, often called a Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS).  Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

SIRS is caused by a wide range of life-threatening conditions seen in the intensive care unit and can also be caused by surgical interventions, particularly cardiac surgery.

Biocon will now have the exclusive, region-wide rights to distribute CytoSorb for all critical care applications for India and select emerging countries. As part of the expanded agreement, it  will also provide new clinical evidence to support the adoption and usage of CytoSorb via multiple Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs) and patient case studies.

So far, the response to CytoSorb for sepsis management  has been very encouraging with hundreds of patients in India having benefitted from this novel therapy. The expanded usage of CytoSorb in other applications could improve patient outcomes and save precious lives.

According to Ravindra Limaye, president, marketing, Biocon, CytoSorb is accepted by physicians as a safe and well–tolerated therapy for managing sepsis in patients suffering from SIRS as a result of burns, lung injury, liver failure, pancreatitis, post-cardiac surgery complications, and tropical diseases like malaria and dengue fever.”

Dr Abhijit Barve, president, research & development, Biocon, said: “While our initial focus has been on sepsis, physicians are increasingly identifying conditions where very high levels of cytokines are known to cause multiple organ failure..”

“We look forward to working closely with Biocon as they generate clinical evidence to support the widespread use of CytoSorb,” said Dr. Phillip Chan, chief executive officer and president, CytoSorbents.

“Biocon’s results to date have been impressive and we are confident in their ability to lead the market development of CytoSorb in this region”, said Chris Cramer, vice president of business development, CytoSorbents.

Biocon partnered with CytoSorbents in 2013 to launch CytoSorb, a ‘first-in-class’ therapy to treat sepsis, the overactive immune response to a serious infection. Over the past year, Biocon has created a dedicated sales force that is solely focussed on promoting CytoSorb across cities in India.

Additionally, Inflammation generated during cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass can lead to post-operative inflammation and adverse outcomes, including lung and kidney failure. The use of CytoSorb intra-operatively in a bypass circuit in the heart-lung machine is designed to remove inflammatory substances and reduce post-operative complications. Under the expanded partnership, Biocon will leverage its cardiac care commercial capabilities to now promote CytoSorb for treating harmful, excess inflammation associated with cardiac surgery.