Target infectious diseases, President advises Biocon

President A P J Abdul Kalam on Tuesday dedicated to the nation country's first indigenously-developed monoclonal antibody, BIOMab EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) by Biocon at its facility.

Monoclonal antibodies (BIOMab EGFR) promise treatment for cancer and work by binding to cancer cell-specific antigens in the body, and induce an immunological response against the target cancer cell.

Although a large number of monoclonal antibodies have been introduced in the country they are beyond the reach of a majority of cancer patients because of their prohibitive cost. It is in this context that the indigenous development of monoclonal antibodies assumes great significance.

With this, Biocon joins the league of monoclonal antibody developers globally and aims to be a key player in the segment in the coming years.

The President congratulated Biocon scientists for developing a radically advanced, clinically superior humanised recombinant monoclonal antibody. The President also inaugurated the Biocon Park, country's largest integrated biotech hub.

Biocon Park comprises of an integrated cluster of research laboratories and manufacturing facilities laid out on a 90-acre expanse in KIADB (Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board) industrial estate in Bommasandra Industrial Area - Phase IV.

According to Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chairman and managing director of Biocon, the park is built with a total investment of Rs 650 crore, with further investments to follow. Biocon Park is the single largest capital investment made by Biocon in its 27-year history.

Biocon Park presently employs about 700 scientists, engineers and other technical staff with the potential to expand this number to over 2000 in the future. The park is focussed on exports of both bio-pharma products and research services.

The multi-product facilities mainly cater to the following disease segments: cardiovascular, cholesterol reduction, immunosuppressants in organ transplantation, diabetes and cancer.