The Hindu Business Line : Bayer to market Biocon's insulin in China

Biocon Ltd on Wednesday announced a licensing tie-up with Bayer HealthCare for the exclusive marketing and trademark rights for its branded insulin, Insugen, in China.

The CMD, Ms Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, told Business Line that Biocon was firming up similar arrangements, with one company for the US market and with two others for Europe. "We are looking more in terms of finished dosages now rather than for APIs (the core drug or active pharma ingredient)," she said. Guidelines for these two markets are due.

Biocon expects to launch the recombinant human insulin in China in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 after completing formalities for registration and local trial.

"It is envisaged that the collaboration will be expanded to other countries in Asia Pacific," the company said. The licensing move with Bayer is said to be the first of its kind in China where innovators such as diabetes majors Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly sell their own generic or patented drugs. It signals Biocon's entry into branded formulations in the international market, the company said.

China has an estimated 40 million diabetics and adds 3,000 new cases each day.

Dr Jean-Luc Lowinski, Senior VP, Bayer HealthCare Asia-Pacific, was quoted as saying, "The agreement with Biocon is pursuant to Bayer HealthCare's local strategy to strengthen its diabetes franchise and our presence in China."

Oral insulin

Phase I human clinical trials have begun for Biocon's oral insulin molecule, IN105, which it fully owns after acquiring the IP from partner Nobex. The studies are due to be completed by the third quarter of fiscal 2007. With the anti-diabetes market estimated to double to $35 billion by 2012, Biocon said its insulin portfolio had a big opportunity.