Biocon expands partnership with US-based CytoSorbents

Biocon has expanded the scope of its strategic partnership with the US-based CytoSorbents Corporation for CytoSorb, a critical care drug. The Bangalore based biotechnology company had partnered with CytoSorbents in 2013 to launch CytoSorb, a therapy to enable physicians to treat sepsis, the overactive immune response to a serious infection.
 
The drug is used in cytokine (secreted by certain cells of the immune system and have an effect on other cells) reduction therapy to treat patients experiencing severe whole body inflammation, often called a Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). SIRS is caused by a wide range of life-threatening conditions seen in the intensive care unit and can also be caused by surgical interventions, particularly cardiac surgery.
 
Biocon will now have the exclusive, region-wide rights to distribute CytoSorb for critical care applications in the intensive care unit (ICU) and cardiac surgery applications for India and select emerging countries. As part of the expanded agreement, Biocon will play a role in the generation of new clinical evidence to support the adoption and usage of CytoSorb. This includes commitments to conduct and publish results from multiple Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs) and patient case studies.
 
“So far, the response to CytoSorb for the management of sepsis has been very encouraging with hundreds of patients in India having benefitted from this therapy. The expanded usage of CytoSorb in other applications could improve patient outcomes and save lives,” said Biocon in a press release.
 
Ravindra Limaye, President, Marketing, Biocon, commented, “Our expanded partnership with CytoSorbents will now enable us to address the unmet needs of patients experiencing a SIRS as a result of burns, lung injury, liver failure, pancreatitis, post-cardiac surgery complications and tropical diseases like malaria and dengue fever.”
 
Abhijit Barve, President, Research & Development, Biocon, said, “While our initial focus has been on sepsis, physicians are increasingly identifying conditions where very high levels of cytokines are known to cause multiple organ failures. We also believe there are significant unmet medical needs to manage high risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery by using CytoSorb to control inflammation. We are excited about working together with CytoSorbents and look forward to playing an important role in advancing the clinical development of this product.”
 
Phillip Chan, CEO and President, CytoSorbents, stated, “We look forward to working closely with Biocon as they generate clinical evidence to support the use of CytoSorb.”