The Ahmedabad-based Cadila Pharmaceuticals is all set to launch its biologic subsidiary, CPL Biologicals Pvt Ltd, to carry out biotech research and manufacturing operations and contract research and manufacturing services. A formal announcement on the launch of new company is expected to be out in a fortnight, according to the company officials.

CPL Biologicals is launched as the part of a joint venture (JV) between Cadila Pharmaceuticals and the US-based leading vaccine research company, Novavax, Inc. The new company will initially carry out the research and development projects for Novavax according to the JV signed in March, 2009.

Cadila is also planning to set up a biotechnology R&D and manufacturing facility in its current manufacturing facility at Dholka, Ahmedabad with an investment of Rs 200 crore, informed I A Modi, chairman, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd.

"The Novavax team has visited our current facility several times and has expressed their interest to outsource their research programmes in India through our company. We will commence operations with our current facilities, where we can even offer manufacturing services. Works for the new facility, which will have the cGMP standards of US FDA, will be started within six months," said Modi. The current biotech research projects of Cadila Pharma will also be relocated under the new company, he added.

According to the JV formed to develop, manufacture and market vaccines, pharmaceuticals and diagnostic products for Novavax in India, Cadila Pharma will have 80 per cent stake even as the US partner will have 20 per cent share in the new company. CPL Biologicals is designed to outsource R&D, preclinical and clinical trial services to Novavax.

Cadila will contribute approximately USD Eight million over three years to support the joint venture operations. The JV will be responsible for clinical testing and registration of products that will be marketed and sold in India by the new company.

The joint venture will develop and commercialize Novavax's seasonal influenza virus-like-particle (VLP)-based vaccine candidate and Cadila's therapeutic vaccine candidates against cancer as well as its adjuvants, biogeneric and biological diagnostic products for the India. Novavax will also contribute technology to the joint venture for the development of several other VLP vaccine candidates against diseases of public health concern in that region, such as hepatitis E and Dengue fever, according to the Novavax announcement.

At present, Cadila Pharma has a basket of 20 biotech products including conventional and recombinant vaccines, anti cancer bio-therapeutics, diagnostics using recombinant antigens and natural thrombolites. About half a dozen technologies including diagnostics for HIV, thrombolites for myocardial infarction and a pro-biotic are expected to hit the market this year. An equal number of products are in the pipeline for immuno-prophylaxis, diagnosis of hepatitis C, therapeutics for Cancer, Viral hepatitis, diabetes mellitus and anaemia is also active, informs Cadila officials.