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Monday, November 23 - 2009

Biocon and Neopharma sign MoU to establish NeoBiocon at DuBiotech

  • United Arab Emirates: Monday, July 30 - 2007 at 15:03
  • PRESS RELEASE

Indian biotechnology giant, Biocon Ltd and Abu Dhabi-based pharmaceutical manufacturer Neopharma, announced today the setting up of NeoBiocon, a new joint venture to be based at the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), member of TECOM Investments.

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  • Abdullatif Almulla, Chief Executive Officer, TECOM Investments presenting trophies to Dr. B R Shetty, MD & CEO, Neopharma and Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon.
    Abdullatif Almulla, Chief Executive Officer, TECOM Investments presenting trophies to Dr. B R Shetty, MD & CEO, Neopharma and Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon.
NeoBiocon, slated to provide affordable life saving drugs to the people of the UAE, is a pioneering initiative that heralds the region's first foray into developing and marketing life saving biopharmaceutical niche products in key therapeutic areas such as oncology, diabetes, auto-immune disorders, cardiology, anti-obesity drugs and new generation immunosuppressant agents.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon, said,

"NeoBiocon is a pioneering joint venture with Neopharma, which will have the advantage of offering Biocon's proprietary biotech and other related biopharmaceutical pipeline products to the people in this region. Our long term vision is to ensure that the region is self-sufficient in terms of biopharmaceutical products."


Neobiocon's platform emerges from a symbiotic partnership between the two companies. Biocon's knowledge base and cutting-edge technology and Neopharma's manufacturing prowess and local expertise will complement each other.

NeoBiocon will also launch educational campaigns on the debilitating effects of lifestyle diseases through physician workshops. There will be a dual approach of local development coupled with educational programs/workshops that will benefit the local population.

Dr. B R Shetty, MD & CEO, Neopharma, said: "It is a great honour to join hands with biotech major, Biocon, and pioneer the introduction of world-class biopharmaceutical products right here from DuBiotech. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has taken Biocon from an enzyme manufacturing company to a Biotech Powerhouse and we believe our partner's expertise will greatly benefit the new venture."

DuBiotech, which seeks to be the centre for excellence in biotechnology by bridging research, education and industry through partnerships, provides the ideal infrastructure. Companies can either set up their own facilities or make use of ready made offices for their R&D, pilot production and storage facilities.

Dr. Abdulqader Al Khayat, Executive Director of DuBiotech, said: "It is a privilege to host such a pioneering initiative by Neopharma and Biocon. We regard this as a true testament to our capabilities in providing companies with the necessary infrastructure in a prime location."

Biotherapeutics for cardiovascular, diabetes and oncology segments represent the fastest growing class of drugs in the US$5 billion Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) pharmaceuticals market.

Independent studies have revealed high mortality rates due to diabetes and cardiovascular disorders in this region apart from an alarmingly high incidence of the disease. In addition to India and sub-Saharan Africa, the greatest relative increase of these diseases is expected to occur in the Middle Eastern countries.

Research also points to obesity as another serious and growing problem. Current epidemiological estimates suggest that 1.1 billion people worldwide are above their ideal weight. Developing obesity treatments that target novel pathways is a growing focus for biopharmaceutical companies.

The biotech product offerings at NeoBiocon include biologicals, proprietary/in-licensed products, targeted therapeutics; research-based differentiated formulations and innovative drug delivery system. The company shall be targeting innovative products. Besides the UAE, the Dubai office will represent the company in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.

Neobiocon's product portfolio aims to cater to these categories of patients. Dr. B R Shetty added: "For the doctors and patients here, this would mean access to world class biopharmaceuticals at affordable prices."
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About Neopharma
Neopharma is Abu Dhabi's premier pharmaceutical manufacturing company. In less than 3 years, this world class facility has already introduced more than 70 formulations including antibiotics, pain killers, anti allergics and drugs in cardiology and diabetology segments. The company's ability to introduce new products in quick succession stems for a cohesive team work. A robust product research and development team, hi-tech manufacturing, quality embedded operations and skill regulatory support go hand in hand for one purpose - World class quality pharmaceuticals.

The company's efforts are receiving valuable recognition. The company already ranks amongst the top 15 companies in UAE and is the proud recipient of the prestigious Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for the manufacturing category. Besides approval in the Ministry of Health, UAE and the GCC, Neopharma has received the Current European Union Good Manufacturing Practice Certificate from Belgium. All these reflect Neopharma's penchant for quality - a key driver for generic pharmaceutical products.

A planned foray into European markets, work on nanotechnology based products and a joint venture with Biocon to herald the region's premier facility to develop life saving biotech and biopharmaceutical products are key agenda in the near future. Besides, the company facility is being recognised as a regional contract manufacturing hub for large companies such as Apotex, Canada and many European companies. Domestic market will continue to be in the limelight and Neopharma is poised to introduce several products to strengthen presence across more therapeutic categories.

About Biocon

Established in 1978, Biocon Limited is one of India's premier biotechnology companies. Biocon and its two subsidiary companies, Syngene International Ltd and Clinigene International Ltd form a fully integrated biotechnology enterprise, specializing in biopharmaceuticals, custom research, clinical research and enzymes. With successful initiatives in clinical development, bio-processing and global marketing, Biocon delivers products and solutions to partners and customers across the globe. Many of these products have USFDA and EMEA acceptance. Biocon launched the world's first recombinant human insulin, INSUGEN in November 2004 using Pichia expression and India's first indigenously produced monoclonal antibody BIOMAb-EGFR.

About DuBiotech

The Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), launched in February 2005 is the region's first and foremost science and business park dedicated entirely to the global life science industry.

DuBiotech aims to be the central hub for all life science industries for the greater Middle East. DuBiotech offers a vibrant environment for key players of such industries to thrive within their sphere of activity. The park offers drug manufacturers and industry specific service providers all the support needed to make their presence at DuBiotech an efficient and effective process. Such service providers include suppliers of laboratory equipment and reagents, Venture Capital firms, design consultants, etc.

A central focus of DuBiotech is research, and to support the drive toward setting a park dedicated to research excellence, DuBiotech has established the Foundation for Research and Innovation (FRI). The FRI will initially focus of medical, industrial, environmental and agricultural biotechnology.

DuBiotech is governed by world class regulations in line with those applied to the top life science clusters globally. The UAE Ministry of Health has also been a close partner to further enhance life science regulations at the federal level. Intellectual property (IP) protection is at the core of the life science industry. As such, by working closely with the industry, federal authorities and world IP bodies, DuBiotech will ensure that existing IP laws and regulations are strictly enforced. DuBiotech attaches considerable importance to Intellectual Property issues, considering the sensitive nature of work done within this industry.


For further information, please contact:
Zeba Ahmad
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