The Hindu Business Line : More products in offing: Biocon

Next would be insulin devices that would be for markets not amenable to vials, as also non-invasive or painless insulin delivery systems, according to Ms Mazumdar-Shaw.

Future formulations and devices such as insulin pens and analogues would be first in the offing. Research is on for these. With 25 per cent of the upper-end of the insulin users moving towards devices, Biocon would be getting into the segment of easy injectible pens first. A cartridge line is being installed and the devices would be for the Indian and export markets, it is learnt.

Biocon's extensive diabetes research would help in coming out with bio-markers to predict complications related to diabetes affecting the eyes, kidneys, heart, limbs, brain and nerves.

Th company has already announced its plans on the non-invasive or painless insulin delivery side. The company has tied up with the US company Nobex for its oral or tablet insulin project, while it has signed an exclusive insulin supply tie-up for nine years with Bristol-Myers Squibb for the latter's inhaler insulin project.

Ms Mazumdar-Shaw said, "Our focus areas are diabetes and oncology and this is the first major step towards diabetes care."

While Insugen was a milestone launch in protein therapeutics, "Biocon is plugged into two important drug delivery mechanisms."

These pipeline products, though, were a few years away, the oral insulin project with Nobex, she said, was expected to reach proof of concept stage in a year.

More Stories on : Announcements | Bio-tech & Genetics

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page