Nicholas ties up with Biogen

Nicholas Piramal India announced a strategic alliance with the $2.3 billion French drug major Biogen Idec ""the world's third largest biotech company"" for marketing Avonex in India and Nepal.

NPIL's biotech division will market Avonex (Interferon beta 1a), the life-saving therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS).

NPIL also announced the launch of Curosurf, a lung surfactant for premature babies with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), through a tie-up with the Italian drug giant Chiese Farmaceutici.

Avonex, available in pre filled syringe (PFS), is priced at Rs 9000 per injection and the recommended dosage is one intake per week.

The treatment for effective management of relapsing multiple sclerosis is marketed in more than 65 countries across the globe and currently there are 1.3 lakh patients across the world under Avonex treatment.

Avonex contributes over $1 billion to the global revenue of Biogen Idec. The drug was launched in the US in 1996 and in 1997 in Europe and is marketed in over 65 countries.

Biogen is also planning to introduce more products in India through its alliance with NPIL, with Anevive, an anti-psoriasis drug, being the next in line.

Swati Piramal, director, strategic alliances and communication, NPIL said, "A 51 per cent custom duty on Avonex makes its an expensive drug. We would be approaching the government for a reduction in the duty on the chronic illness drug. While we do not anticipate a generic competition in this category, it is expected to accelerate our growth in the biotechnology segment. The tie-up with Biogen Idec is in line with our strategy to bring new, innovative therapies to the Indian market"