The Hindu Business Line : India, UK sign biotech transfer pacts

THE signing of agreements by two UK companies with Indian partners on the opening day of Bangalore Bio 2005 on Friday underlined the significance of the annual event, which recognised India's capacity in biotechnology.

Briefing media-persons after presiding over the meeting in which the companies signed the agreements, the British High Commissioner to India, Sir Michael Arthur, said, under a technology transfer agreement, the Hyderabad-based Shantha Biotechnics would become the licensed manufacturer of hepatitis C drug for PolyTherics Ltd.

The UK company will provide its pegylation technology to make affordable PEG-Interferon product for the treatment of hepatitis C. The two companies will collaborate in an accelerated drug development programme to commercialise an affordable treatment for many patients.

Zenosis Ltd of the UK has entered into a tie-up with Edu Tech India Pvt Ltd, an information and learning services provider, to help Indian bio-pharmaceutical companies market their products in the international market.

"Indian pharmaceutical companies were faced with the challenges of keeping up with increasing astringency in regulatory compliance requirements at homes as well as in highly regulated exports markets of the US, the UK and Japan. The challenges were compounded by the specificity of regulations across different products, services and countries," said Sir Arthur.

The tie-up between the two technology companies would help Indian life sciences companies take their products to the international market faster and stabilise their presence.

Replying to questions on the Indo-UK partnership, Sir Arthur said India was the eighth biggest country for Britain to invest in information technology services, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.

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