Comments
Our Bureau
In order to stay competitive, drug-maker Lupin is constantly scouting around for technology, says Dr Cyrus Karkaria, Lupin President, explaining the licensing agreement the company has entered into with Sydney-based NeuClone Pty Ltd for cell-line technology.
A private specialty life-science company, NeuClone will provide the exclusive proprietary cell-line technology to be developed into bio-similar drugs targeting cancer. Biologicals are drugs made in cells and bio-generics are products similar to innovative biological medicine.
With about six to eight proteins in its pipeline, Lupin is looking to develop these biological products keeping an eye on the still-evolving regulatory framework in developed markets such as the US, European Union and Japan, Dr Karkaria, also Head of Lupin's biological research programme, told Business Line.
Having entered the biotech space about three years ago, Lupin expects 5 to 7 per cent of its business to come from the bio-similars business, in about five years. The company expects to have its first bio-similar product in the Indian market by early next year. It has a separate research facility in Pune, with about 100 scientists, focused on biotech.
The NeuClone deal involves transfer of technology, Dr Karkaria said, without divulging financial details, adding that there would be development-related milestone payments. This technology expects to see fruition by next year, he added.
Lupin has deep pockets, he said, adding that the products being developed (largely in the oncology space) would be launched depending on the regulatory landscape. Two biological products are going into clinical trials, he said, adding that the timeline extends as more regulatory steps are required. Several Indian drug companies, including Dr Reddy's, Cipla, and Biocon, among others, are in the biotech space, looking to tap into the opportunity of blockbuster drugs going off patents.
Industry estimates the global market for bio-similars or follow-on biologic drugs at about $100 billion. The Indian market for biosimilar products, such as insulin, hormones, vaccines and plasma proteins, is about Rs 2,500 crore.
Lupin shares were marginally down on the BSE, at Rs 465 on Wednesday.
Comments
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.