With a view to gauge the process of drug approvals in the country, a team of experts from the Canadian Centre for Commercialisation of Antibodies and Biologicals (CCAB) recently met regulatory officials from the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Authority (FDCA).  The meeting was also specifically focussed on understanding the policy framework adopted across India to ensure an effective drug regulatory system.

It is understood that CCAB, which is a federally funded Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR), is looking out for investment and partnership opportunity in India. They are scouting for opportunities to work with Indian researchers in the area of product development and commercialisation of biotechnology based antibodies for treating cancer, infectious disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) disease and other diseases.

Interestingly, CCAB provides the product and business development resources to convert promising basic research leads into genuine commercial products that can be introduced into the marketplace either through the establishment of spinoff companies or through partnerships with industries.

Dr Hemant G Koshia, commissioner of Gujarat FDCA, informed that CCAB is looking forward to collaborate with international partners to develop new biotherapeutics for unmet medical needs by providing cutting-edge Canadian technology and research.

According to Dr Koshia it is a huge opportunity for Indian researchers, CROs and academicians who are looking to do some research and development activities in these areas to associate with them. Most importantly their interest in India particularly with Gujarat based companies shows their confidence in the regulatory system and eagerness in leveraging the best opportunity from the other.

“We have a lot of talent within the country, thus it is an ideal platform to utilise this opportunity to give a huge thrust to the R&D initiatives. The Canadian experts were keen to understand the dynamics of the industry with an intent to work with us. They are definitely considering to utilise our strong network of leading researchers with expertise in antibodies and other biotherapeutics from within the country in a collaborative effort,” informed Dr Koshia.

The Canadian research community has developed patented technologies and demonstrated the proof-of-concept for treatment of several diseases. In fact, they are looking for facilitating the collaboration opportunities with different entities in India to develop and commercialise the antibodies as therapeutics. Dr Koshia further stressed that in lines with this they had also met the industry recently to inform them about their technology offers to explore any collaborative opportunities for providing cost effective treatment options in India and globally.