The Hindu Business Line : Intas Biopharma signs pact with Virionics Corp

Mumbai May 31 Ahmedabad-based Intas Biopharmaceuticals Ltd (IBPL) has forged a research agreement with US-based Virionics Corporation to co-develop the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV-16 & HPV-18) therapeutic vaccine for cervical cancer.

IBPL will put in a major part of funding, a note from the company said. "Initial phase of IP (intellectual property) is carried out by a third party and the subsequent phases of IP will be carried jointly," a company official told Business Line. Cervical cancer is highly prevalent in Indian women with 80 per cent caused by HPV infection.

The collaboration involves technology transfer along with exclusive marketing rights to IBPL for supply of product in India and certain key markets. Global pharmaceutical majors that have cervical cancer vaccines in their product pipeline include Merck and GlaxoSmithKline.

Joint committee

The development of a HPV therapeutic will be based on a virus-like particle technology supplied by Virionics, the note said. Mr Mani Iyer, IBPL's Director, explained that the companies would create a joint committee that will be responsible for providing pre-clinical, manufacturing and clinical study support.

IBPL will have the first option to be a contract-manufacturing supplier of the product, for India and other markets, the note said.

IBPL, through its wholly owned subsidiary Indus Biotherapeutics, has completed clinical trials of three biotechnology drugs, G-CSF, Erythropoietin and Interferon, which are now in markets.

According to Dr Dhananjay Patankar, Chief Technical Officer and Head of IBPL's research, "The development programme will have milestones related to drug development, manufacturing, patenting, regulatory affairs and all other relevant activities. IBPL has been given right to use programme assets during the agreement period to conduct the development programme. During the term of agreement, Virionics and IBPL will jointly own all rights, titles and interests in any joint discoveries in their respective territories."