Biotechnology News - India

<p>Biotechnology provides a viable solution to almost every form of environmental damage, says Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. . <a href= http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/quickiearticleshow/3370055.cms target= _blank ><b>Weird and Wonderful Inventions!</b></a></p>

Dr Chandrika Varadachari’s “bio-release micronutrients” is making waves both internationally and in India as the technology maintains plant fertility by massively bringing down additional micronutrients during cultivation-dosage reduced to 1/10th-1/4th of current doses for micronutrient sulfates.

Fledgling biotechnology sector posted $2.56 billion (Rs.103 billion) in revenue during 2007-08, registering 20 per cent growth over the previous fiscal at $2.1 billion, an industry survey revealed.

Vaccine maker Panacea Biotec is foraying into the hospital business by setting up a 220-bed multi-specialty hospital with Gurgaon-based Umkal Medicals

It is good news that the government is expediting the process of setting up the national biotechnology regulatory authority, which is envisaged as a dextrous, one-stop facility.

Bayer BioScience Pvt Ltd, a Bayer CropScience Group company, on Tuesday announced the launch of Arize Dhani, a disease-resistant hybrid variety of rice in India.

With Nano technology applications finding place in every sphere, particularly health sector, a city institute is organising a one-day seminar on 'Bio and Nano Materials' on May seven, here.

Biotech major Biocon plans to set up a subsidiary unit for its research and development (R&D) this year contrary to the industry norm of spinning it off as a separate company.

Biovet has launched Asia's first Bio Safety Level-4 (BSL-4) manufacturing facility, specifically designed to enable product development and manufacturing of vaccines like Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine.

India’s largest biotechnology company Biocon on Tuesday reported a 13% increase in profit for 2007-08 to Rs 225 crore on improved revenues, especially in its contract research business.

A 20-member Italian delegation representing biotech and nanotech sectors, under the aegis of the Italian Trade Commission, has offered to tie-up with Indian firms.

India's top biotechnology firm, Biocon Ltd, is looking at overseas acquisitions for about $10 million to boost its sales globally and gain access to innovative drugs, its chairman said on Wednesday.

India on Sunday said developing microbicides was on the top of its priority list and they will be developed in the earliest possible time to prevent transmission of STDs and HIV/AIDS to women.

The deal will enable the Bangalore-based player to market its injectible insulin, generics, biosimilars and biologics in Europe.

Biotechnology firm Biocon on Monday announced the acquisition of a 70 per cent stake in German pharmaceutical company, AxiCorp GmbH, for Euro 30 million (over Rs 173 crore), as part of its plan to become a major player in the insulin segment in Europe.

An international seminar on ornamental fish trade has called for enforcement of strict bio-security measures in the industry and standardisation of breeding technologies.

Venture capitalists pumped a record $9.1 billion into privately-held US biotechnology and medical device companies last year, in hopes of making discoveries they can sell to larger drugmakers.

City-based International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology has joined hands with US-based Emory Vaccine Center to develop vaccines for infectious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis and dengue.

Lauding the government's initiative of unveiling a National Biotechnology Policy, industry experts said that it was imperative that this policy was implemented in a time bound manner.

Researchers have developed a new biochip technology, which could soon put a stop to the use of animals for testing in the chemical and cosmetics industries.

After establishing Kolkata as a top IT/ITeS destination, the West Bengal government intends to replicate that success in the biotech turf.

A variant of a gene involved in communication among brain cells has a direct influence on alcohol consumption in mice, according to a new study by US scientists.

Biotech company Biocon is planning to launch its oral insulin drug in India by 2010 and is targeting sales of Rs 500 crore from the domestic market alone.

Biotech company Biocon is planning to launch its oral insulin drug in India by 2010 and is targeting sales of Rs 500 crore from the domestic market alone.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals plans to acquire a distribution and marketing company in Indonesia, in a bid to increase its foothold in Asia’s emerging markets, the company’s top officials told ET.

Clinical research firm Manipal AcuNova Ltd on Monday announced it has completed the acquisition of ECRON GmbH, Europe.

US-based Generex Biotechnology Corporation on Friday said it has received approval from the Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) for selling its non-injectable insulin in the country.

Biotechnology company Shreya Lifesciences has entered into an in-licensing agreement with US-based Generex Biotechnology Corp to market Oral-lyn, the country’s first needle-free insulin.

The Bombay High Court today took the Maharashtra government to task over an affidavit of its health department regarding implementation of bio-medical waste disposal in hospitals across the state.

Drug manufacturer Cipla said on Thursday it has received a notice from the government to pay Rs 49.47 crore for alleged overcharging on its drug Salbutamol, and said the same is legally untenable .

Biotech company Biocon is in talks with various companies to outlicense some of its molecules to fund increasing investment in the research and development (R&D) division.

Multi-billion-dollar pharma ingredient and chemicals major DSM is in talks with Indian biotech companies to outlicense its exclusive technology, which uses human cells to develop biotech drugs.

Anand Mani, a pathology test vendor, wanted to gift his unborn child something special and his heart was set on saving the baby’s stem cells for a disease free future.

Bangalore-based biotechnology company Biocon plans to recruit 50 key persons from overseas to tide over domestic manpower shortage.

Joining Indian pharma majors who are targeting the $65-billion global biotech drug market.

India is the flavour of the season for the international business world. After the IT boom, now it’s the turn of the biotech sector. The last decade saw the tides of change in this sector with India starting to emerge as a global player.

The company will initiate European trials on three products which will be soon filed to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for regulatory approval.

A clutch of investors are set to pick up 47% stake in the Intas Biopharmaceuticals, the biotech arm of Ahmedabad-based pharma major Intas Pharmaceuticals.

Bioton, Poland's largest biotechnology company, will invest $ 35 mn in a joint venture that will operate in India, Finland, Russia and the UK, continuing its international expansion plan.

India and the United States on Thursday agreed to enhance cooperation in development of low-cost diagnostic and therapeutic medical technologies.

Two pharma cos may sign pact involving co-development of new biotech drugs & research services.

The tests will initially be only for cancer patients and Mr Saxena’s company, Acton Biotech, plans to cover other diseases later.

Biotechnology firm, Biocon on Monday said it has completed all activities related to the divestment of enzymes business to Novozymes South Asia Pvt Ltd.

Panacea Biotec has commissioned its new vaccine formulation plant in Baddi, which would double its capacity to two billion dosages per annum. The company has invested Rs 100 crore in the new plant.

The Wadias’ had objected to the Danone investment in Avesthagen citing violation of Press Note 1. They had alleged that the biotech company’s subsidiary Avesta Good Earth Foods had a similar line of business.

Indian drug makers have already become a formidable force in bringing out generic forms of chemically-synthesised medicines, especially in the US market, and now are gearing up to break into the follow-on biologics segment.

The government is planning to set up an export inspection agency for Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha (Ayush) products to put an end to frequent rejection of Indian exports.

Actis has set up Malaysia Telesta Diagnostics centre focusing on computer-aided diagnosis for breast cancer. Telesta is also willing for a technology transfer to Malaysia.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday asked the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) to prepare a road map for the promotion of biotechnology and nanotechnology in the state.

US-based biotech company Biogen Idec, is looking for partnerships across the pharma value chain, including in-licensing of new experimental drugs and tie ups for its global clinical research projects.

Diversified major ITC Ltd has taken over Australian agri-biotech company Technico Pty Ltd for an undisclosed sum, as part of a strategy to strengthen its foods business.

Biocon Ltd said on Monday it had signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi's Neopharma for a joint venture company.

Professionals in pharma and biotechnology companies are increasingly taking the plunge to set up start-ups - a trend which investors describe as tip of the iceberg.

Riding on the success of Bt cotton, agriculture biotechnology has emerged as one of the fastest growing biotech industries in India in recent years, a latest report of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said.

RFCL signs a definitive agreement to acquire Wipro BioMed, a leading provider of biomedical solutions.

Abl Biotechnologies Ltd said it has signed an MoU with Christian Medical College, Vellore, for joint research in several areas in management of various diseases prevalent in Indian sub-continent.

We were investing already in the biopharma segment which can deliver more than enzymes business, says Biocon CMD.

Under the agreement, Biocon will receive an upfront licensing fee, and following approval in the licensed territories, royalties from sales.

Big pharma companies such as Zydus Healthcare plans to focus on biotech in a big way.

Biotech firm Biovel Life Sciences to produce Human Growth Hormone.

Biotech firm Panacea Biotec on Thursday said it is planning to foray into oncology segment.

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories developing eight generic medicines using biotechnology.

Intas Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (IBPL) has received European Union-good manufacturing practices (EU-GMP) certification for its manufacturing facility in the city.

Complementing the rapid growth of the IT industry in India's silicon city, the emerging biotechnology (BT) sector will look for investments through partnerships and joint ventures at Bangalore Bio 2007, the three-day annual event beginning Thursday.

CMS of Biocon Ltd, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw says that lack of trained manpower is forcing us to import talent from overseas.

Sterling Biotech, the country's largest gelatin maker, on Thursday said it has raised 250 million dollars through issue of FCCBs, which have been listed at the Singapore Stock Exchange.

Hyderabad-Based Zenotech Laboratories, a biotech-based speciality injectables company, is looking at setting up a plasma fractionation facility at an investment of $20-25 million.

India, which was the largest user of BT crop last year, should now develop its own intellectual property in the area of biotechnology to serve its interest in agriculture better, a leading US biotech expert said.

Premier contract research company GVK Bioscience on Thursday appointed Manni Kantipudi, former chief information officer of Intel corporation as the President of company.

Leading biotech company Avesthagen and French plant breeding major Groupe Limagrain on Wednesday said they have jointly acquired majority stakes in two Indian seed companies.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Centre to conduct approved field trials of genetically modified (GM) seeds in the country subject to certain restrictions.

To facilitate advanced stem cell research and development in Malaysia, Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Malaysian Biotechnology corporation, a leading biotechnology agency in Malaysia.

Japanese scientists have genetically engineered silkworms to produce a specific colour, to avoid the trouble of dying silk.

The biotechnology sector in India, which has been growing at 37 per cent per annum is projected to touch five billion dollars mark by 2010, industry body CII said on Friday.

Suven Life Science has clocked a 33% growth in net profit to Rs 11.22 crore for the year ended March 2007.

Reliance Life Sciences today announced its partnership with US-based global investment management firm, MPM Capital LP.

Shantha Biotech seems to be abuzz with new activity after French healthcare major Merieux Alliance picked up 60% stake in the company last year.

After the success of its recomibant human insulin Insugen , Biocon said clinical trials for the oral insulin would soon enter phase two.

The Company has posted a net profit of Rs 380.562 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 as compared to Rs 302.354 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

After developing biotechnology park in Hyderabad, Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech Park is exploring Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand for its next biotech park. The company is in talks with the respective state governments for the same.

When asked whether Novartis was interested in buying U.S. biotechnology firm MedImmune , Vasella said biotech firms were on our radar screen, but declined to comment further.

In a filing to BSE, Jupiter Bioscience said its board of directors have ratified the term sheet.

A global biotech drug research consortium developing AIDS vaccine - Collaboration for AIDS Vaccine Discovery (CAVD) - is keen to have a presence in India.

The firm said it would seek the approval for the proposal from its Board of Directors on April 12.

Maharashtra government has signed three MoUs with leading banks in a bid to provide fillip to bio-technology projects in the state.

Shares in Biocon ended down 0.24 per cent at Rs 465.05 in a firm market that rose 1.9 per cent.

DuPont India, subsidiary of the US-based $29-billion EI Du Pont de Nemours, will set up a plant biotech research centre at the DuPont Knowledge Center (DKC) in Hyderabad.

Integrated biotechnology firm Biocon on Wednesday said its subsidiary Syngene has entered into a research partnership with global pharma major Bristol-Myers Squibb.

The new immunosuppressants for renal therapy are at least 35-40 per cent cheaper than the MNC drug prices in the similar product category.

The Andhra Pradesh government along with the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA), the University of Hyderabad and the European Federation of Biotechnology is organising the fourth edition of annual BioAsia 2007 in Hyderabad.

Reliance LifeScience on Wednesday announced the acquisition of a 74% equity stake (1.1 billion shares) in the UK-based biotech firm.

Delhi-based biotechnolgy company Panacea Biotec has announced that it has registered 79% growth in net turnover.

Homegrown integrated biotechnology firm Biocon on Thursday posted 44.89 per cent increase in net profit at Rs 47.51 crore, as compared to Rs 32.79 cr in the year-ago period.

India’s Biocon is soon to establish a beachhead in the UK, and is setting up an office in London.

India's Biocon is soon to establish a beachhead in the UK, and is setting up an office in London.

The joint-venture with Neopharma is an important milestone for Biocon's global foray.

Biotech firm Biocon Ltd said on Tuesday that its has completed the Phase IV clinical trials for its insulin drug, Insugem.

Sandesara group’s Sterling Biotech plans to invest about Rs 600 crore to ramp up the manufacturing capacities of gelatin and coenzyme (Q10) at its facilities in Vadodara.

India is set to become the hub of global biotech industry and the country's share in the sector could touch $40 billion mark by 2015, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal has said.

Fidelity Investments is in advanced talks to buy 12-14% stake in the Bangalore-based biotech firm Avesthagen for $10-12 million.