Advinus, global major plan drug discovery deal

Advinus Therapeutics, the drug discovery joint venture between the Tatas and the former Ranbaxy R&D chief Rashmi Barbhaiya, is planning to partner with a global pharma major in the area of pharmaceutical discovery and development.

Advinus, the only dedicated drug discovery company in India, is currently in the final stages of discussions with the multinational group, and the discovery and development partnership deal will be signed shortly, said sources close to the development.

Barbhaiya, CEO and MD, Advinus Therapeutics, though confirmed the company's global drug discovery partnership plans, said that it was too early to make specific comments on the same.

"We are in talks with a few international organisations in the areas of drug discovery, biotechnology and related sciences," Barbhaiya added.

Sources said Advinus' global partnership deal would involve the provisions spanning from discovery and development to the commercial aspects between the two companies.

"Since, Advinus does not intend to have a presence in marketing, the multinational partner may have the rights for marketing the drugs coming out of this initiative, while the intellectual property will be owned by Advinus," they added. The drug discovery partnership with a top global entity of this nature will be the first in India.

The sources said companies may work out specific business models in terms of milestone payments or revenue sharing in the advance stages of the drug development.

Advinus Therapeutics, based in Bangalore, recently set up its a new research centre at Hinjewadi biotechnology park in Pune. Then it shifted its entire drug discovery activities from Bangalore to this facility.

At present, the Pune facility has about 50 scientists and the company is planning to more than double the number in the next 12 months and take the tally to 200 in the next three years.

Advinus' Bangalore set-up is now dedicated to research outsourcing activities in the area of drug development for global companies.

This is going to be the major revenue stream for the company in the initial years till the new drug candidates from its own pipeline reach the licensing stage.