Intas Biopharmaceuticals, an Ahmedabad-based leading Biopharmaceutical company, is setting up a new plasma fractionation plant at Ahmedabad with an investment of around Rs 100 crore.

Dr Urmish Chudar, Managing Director, Intas Biopharmaceuticals, said, "Currently, we are making an investment of close to Rs 120 crore. Out of the Rs 120 crore, Rs 100 crore will be for the setting up a new plasma fractionation plant. We are expecting that the same plant will cater to the requirements of South Asia. The remaining amount will be spent on the development of Factor IX for the Haemophilia B patients".

Intas Biopharmaceuticals would be the first Indian Biotech company to make drugs from transgenic animals. The company has a 100 per cent research and development subsidiary, as Indus Biotherpeutics. This subsidiary carries out all the research works of the company. Indus Biotherpeutics's R&D operation has been recognized by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR).

The company has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the recently held 'Vibrant Gujarat'. "We are always looking out for tie-ups with domestic as well as international companies on drug development. We are also looking ahead in the areas of contract research. Currently, the company has tie ups with several institutions in India as well as abroad," Dr Chudar said.

The company has entered into a joint venture with Progenetics LLC, a US based company that created transgenic animals producing Factor-IX (a drug used for treatment of Haemophilia-B), in milk. As per the agreement, Intas Biopharmaceuticals would develop drugs from such transgenic animals, carry out clinical trials and launch the drugs in India and in overseas markets.

"Products like Factor IX with a very limited market potential are often neglected by pharma companies. It is estimated that over 5000 patients in India do not have any drug to cure Haemophilia B. We hope to bring relief to them through our joint commitment by working together towards drug development and treatment for patients suffering from Haemophilia B", he added.