The Hindu Business Line : IICT, Evolva sign research agreement

Hyderabad, July 11 Evolva Biotech on Friday signed a drug discovery research agreement with the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT). The agreement allows Evolva to screen a number of compounds developed by IICT and take them forward through the different stages of drug discovery.

Some of the potential areas in which the compounds were being screened include cardiovascular, infectious, cancer and immuno modulatory, a press release from IICT said.

Dr P. M. Murali, Managing Director of Evolva Biotech, told Business Line that already some promising molecules that could be developed into anti-viral drugs have been screened. Through joint efforts we intend to develop new chemical entities (NCEs), which will be mutually advantageous. For IICT, it would mean bringing out an NCE, while for Evolva, it would be a challenge to take the screened molecule through the various stages of drug development, he explained.

In early 2007, Evolva Biotech, the Switzerland-headquartered company, had signed an MoU with IICT for initial collaboration. A Genetic Chemistry lab has also been established at the IICT, where researchers from both sides are working. While Evolva has strengths in biology, IICT has competence in Chemistry.

Dr J. S. Yadav, Director of IICT said: “Evolva’s R&D is located in our campus for a few years now and we move to the next level of association where our chemistry research capabilities will be complemented by Evolva’s biology expertise. This formidable collaboration on drug discovery increases the probabilities of new drugs coming to the market.” Evolva employs 65 people at locations in Switzerland, India, US and Denmark.

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

Stories in this Section
Cos likely to get more time for filing results

NSL Cotton Corpn moots integrated project

Doing away with wages for rest day unwarranted, says HC

BHEL-NTPC joint venture to firm up biz plan

Metso to design CFBC boiler for Indian power sector

IICT, Evolva sign research agreement

ONGC enters 1st gas sales pact for coal-bed methane

Rusni, Prithvi Bio sign pact

ONGC in tree plantation project

Italian firm MTS eyes water heating segment