Saamya banks on recombinant protein products

Hyderabad-based Saamya Biotech (India) Ltd, a first generation biotech company and backed by the Visu International Group, might enter the manufacture of recombinant protein products by 2010.

A source close to the development told Business Standard, that the company will enter into the production of recombinant protein products by 2010.

The company will produce generic recombinant protein products as well as will develop its own patented recombinant protein products through in-house research and development.

The company is open to acquiring or tying-up with biotech companies for technology know-how for producing generic recombinant protein. The product line for recombinant protein would be for growth factors, hormones and monoclonal anti-bodies. The monoclonal anti-bodies are used for cancer treatment.

Indian biotech industry is worth $2 billion and there are three major player production of recombinant protein products "" Biocon, Shantha Biotech and Bharat Biotech.

There are other players too with insignificant production of recombinant protein products. The global market size of recombinant protein products is worth $30 billion. While Indian players has only $0.5 billion share in the global market of recombinant protein products.

The company is interested in developing its own recombinant protein products where it will hold intellectual property rights that can be later licensed out to other company.

While it is also acquiring licence for recombinant protein products from major biotech players to manufacture in its own plant. Among the top biotech companies are Amgen, Genentech Inc.

The company needs to invest approximately Rs 100 crore for recombinant protein manufacturing and undertake R&D for recombinant proteins.

The fund will be a mix of debt and equity, but the nitty-gritty for the raising fund would be worked out during the actual implementation of the project.

However, the present unit that the company is settings up at Hyderabad, will not have any facility for manufacturing of recombinant protein.

As per the source, the production of recombinant protein is the later phase of the company's strategic plan and would first concentrate on the initial phase of developing the facility for the manufacture of three biopharmaceuticals ¿ Daunomycin and Hyaluronic Acid (cosmetic and pharma grade).

However, being an old molecule, Daunomycin faces extensive generic competition and is a low margin commodity product. Whereas, Hyaluronic Acid is widely recognised moisturiser and new surgical aid with excellent bio- compatibility and no allergic reaction. The company expects that this compound to expand into new areas like tissue engineering.

The company has entered into an agreement for technology transfer with Biofin Laboratories s.r.l Italy for producing Daunomycin and Hyaluronic Acid. As per the agreement, Biofin will provide the technology know-how to the company to manufacture Daunomycin and Hyaluronic Acid.

Saamya Biotech will manufacture the products in accordance with the technical information given by Biofin.

Biofin will give all directions required to manufacture the products.

The company considers the technical collaboration with Biofin Laboratories s.r.l Italy as its strategic partners.

The company is raising Rs 15 crore through initial public issue from the market for its new upcoming project at Hyderabad and it is expected to be commence commercial production in next 10 months. It will start its pilot plant in January 2008.