Indus Biotherapeutics plans to set up new R&D facility

Indus Biotherapeutics Ltd, the biotech arm of the Ahmedabad-based Intas Pharmaceuticals, is planning to set up a new facility for animal cell culture-based protein production. The company is also planning to form a joint venture with one of the leading European firms for import of bulk protein.

"We are in process of setting up a state-of-the-art biotechnology facility for the research and development (R&D) and manufacturing of recombinant human therapeutics by cell culture and fermentation. The new R&D centre for animal cell culture-based protein production will be set up in next one year," Rustom S Mody, vice-president, biotechnology, Indus Biotherapeutics told Business Standard on Friday.

"At present we are working with a few of the leading European companies and plan to form a JV soon to import bulk protein at a cheaper rate. We will offer world-class research services in varied areas with extremely economical and competitive pricing plans."

The company has capabilities and expertise to develop up-stream fermentation, cell-culture based process, down-stream purification of proteins, protein characterisation and analysis, stability testing, animal toxicity studies, handling multi-centric and clinical trials, amongst others.

The company plans to offer contract services to companies and groups seeking to establish proof of concept or develop transforming commercial-scale process by lab-scale discoveries into quality therapeutic products and technologies.

At present, the company is working on developing two-to-three generic recombinant biopharmaceutical products. The company official said many are in the pipeline. These products are expected to lose patent protection soon and are being developed for global biogeneric markets.

"We are actively collaborating with several research labs in Europe and the US, turning laboratory scale technologies into commercially viable, cGMP compliant manufacturing processes. The company is also working towards active tie ups with several leading research labs and institutions in India," Mody said.

"To expedite development of products based on our fundamental expertise, we will continue to pursue strategic alliances that will strengthen its position as a leading process development lab. We are looking forward to collaborations with companies that will best complement its strengths and move strong product candidates through to commercialisation," added Mody.