Indian biotechnology major Biocon and Neopharma, Abu-Dhabi based pharma major, signed an MoU to establish Neobiocon, a joint venture company in Dubai's biotechnology and research park, Dubiotech.

The new venture expands Biocon's global network to provide affordable bio therapeutics for unmet medical needs. Through this joint venture Neopharma takes a humble step towards the realization of the vision of the Father of the Nation, Late HH Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan - 'Health for All'. On the anvil are specialty bio-pharmaceutical products for life threatening diseases.

Established at Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (Dubiotech) in Dubai, this JV company will provide affordable life saving drugs to the people of the UAE. Neobiocon is a pioneering initiative that heralds the region's first foray to develop and market life saving biopharmaceutical niche products in key therapeutic areas such as oncology, diabetes, auto-immune disorders, cardiology, anti-obesity drugs and new generation immunosuppressant drugs.

Neobiocon will take initiatives to educate people on the debilitating effects of lifestyle diseases by rolling out educational campaigns through physician workshops. There will be a dual approach of local development coupled with educational programmes/workshops that will benefit the local population.

The Dubiotech provides infrastructure to various companies to set up their own establishments apart from offering readymade offices for R&D, pilot production and storage facilities. Dubiotech helps bridge research, education and industry through national and international collaboration.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD, Biocon Ltd said, "The establishment of Neobiocon takes our recently announced JV with Neopharma a step further. This in fact is a continuation of our tie-up. We are delighted to be able to provide the advantage of Biocon's proprietary biotech and other related biopharmaceutical pipeline products to the people in this region. Our long term vision is to ensure that the country is self-sufficient in terms of biopharmaceutical products."

Dr B R Shetty, MD & CEO, Neopharma remarked, "It gives us immense pleasure and great honour to join hands with biotech major, Biocon, and pioneer the introduction of world-class pharmaceutical biotech products, right here in the heart of the Emirates. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has taken Biocon from an enzyme manufacturing company to a Biotech Powerhouse."

Added Rakesh Bamzai, president, marketing, Biocon Ltd, "Neobiocon will be committed to developing a range of products for debilitating disease segments. Obesity, diabetes, hypertension and high levels of cholesterol are interlinked and go hand-in-hand. Biocon's research addresses all these segments. Neobiocon will offer products that cater to lifestyle disorders and oncology. We will also produce immunosuppressant drugs."

Biotherapeutics for cardiovascular diabetes and oncology segments represent the fastest growing class of drugs in the $5 billion (Gulf Cooperation Council) pharmaceutical market.

Studies have revealed high mortality rates due to diabetes and cardiovascular disorders in this region. Disease incidence is also alarmingly high. In addition to India and sub Saharan Africa, the greatest relative increase of these diseases will occur in the Middle Eastern Countries. Obesity is also a common, serious and growing problem. Current epidemiological estimates suggest that 1.1 billion people worldwide are above their ideal weight. Developing obesity treatments that target novel pathways is a growing focus for biopharmaceutical companies.

The biotech product offerings include Biologicals, proprietary / In-licensed products, targeted therapeutics; research based differentiated formulations and innovative drug delivery system. NeoBiocon shall be targeting innovative products. Besides the UAE, the Dubai office will represent the company in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.

Neobiocon's product mix aims to cater to these categories of patients. Adds Dr. B R Shetty, "For the doctors and patients here, this would mean access to world class biopharmaceuticals at affordable prices".

Neobiocon's platform emerges from a symbiotic partnership between the two companies. Biocon's knowledge base & cutting-edge technology and Neopharma's manufacturing prowess & local expertise will complement each other."