Wyeth, GVK Bio sign research pact

The US-based pharma multinational Wyeth Pharmaceuticals has entered into a research partnership agreement with GVK Biosciences, one of the leading contract research organisations (CROs) in India.

The joint research pact requires GVK to establish a dedicated discovery chemistry research site to engage 150 synthetic chemists working exclusively for Wyeth. This is the first time in India that such a large multi-year contract has been awarded for a CRO.

The partnership will commence with 30 chemists on site in Hyderabad by the beginning of 2006 and is expected to grow to a total of 150 chemists by early 2007.

It is expected that this collaboration will have a significant impact on the efficiency and productivity of small molecule drug discovery at Wyeth.

Wyeth selected GVK BIO from among other global CROs after a detailed evaluation. The agreement was signed recently at Wyeth Pharma's headquarters at Collegeville, USA.

Frank Walsh, executive vice president and head of discovery research at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, said in press release that the growing skill base in Asia, India's adoption in 2005 of patent laws conforming with World Trade Organization provisions, coupled with the high energy and quality of science at GVK Bio, drove the decision to partner with them for contract synthetic chemistry services.

"The collaboration with GVK BIO represents a critical avenue to effectively complement Wyeth's in-house synthetic chemistry efforts, and the anticipated synergies will add a new dimension to chemical research, building on the Wyeth expertise in Medicinal Chemistry and Organic Syntheses, to enhance drug discovery at Wyeth," added Magid Abou-Gharbia, senior vice-president and head, Chemical and Screening Sciences at Wyeth.

Commenting on the Wyeth pact, D S Brar, chairman, GVK Bio said that it is a privilege to be selected by Wyeth as the preferred partner for this major collaboration.

"This alliance would become a trendsetter in the way contract research business is carried out in India, and pave way for many international companies to look at long-term contracts with Indian CROs and we are absolutely delighted by this development and the confidence that Wyeth Pharmaceuticals has reposed in the scientific talent and execution capabilities of GVK Bio," said Sanjay Reddy, CEO, GVK Biosciences.