US pharma firm opens R & D Unit in Bangalore

Posted AtNew Kerala.com

US-based SPI Pharma has launched its development centre in the country to come out with innovative drug delivery systems.

With an initial investment of Rs four crore, the India centre is expected to cater to the needs of the Asia Pacific Region.

“We thought of an extension outside US and it was decided that India was the most appropriate place and hence was chosen. There are several advantages of setting the development centre here. First is that it has given us the opportunity to grow and second is that we have got the opportunity to tap the vast talent of highly qualified and potentially brilliant brains of India,” says John Burrow, CEO, SPI Pharma.

The 16,000 sq ft facility is a full-fledged drug development and testing centre that would cater to the needs of pharmaceutical manufacturers. The company is also speculating investment in Intellectual Property, to tap the tremendous potential available in the country.

“To be able to have access to patient friendly technology India has for the first time welcomed this kind of an idea. We looked at the efficacy and at the same time cheap production of drugs when we decided to setup this centre. The medicine for cough and cold is already in the market and PCM will be available in 2006 in India. The focus of the centre would be on excipients, antacid actives, drug delivery systems and drug development services,” says Sarath Chander, Vice President, Global Marketing and Commercial Development.

The company is currently working with Cipla, Novartis, Pfizer and Dr Reddy's in India and is in discussion with Biocon and Matrix.

With India fast becoming a scientific powerhouse in the global pharma market, the new facility is being looked at as a significant step for the company's operations in the country.

With the centre, SPI Pharma would now be in a position to speed up customised projects. SPI's strategy in India is to develop and test finished drugs using its proprietary drug delivery technologies as well as those acquired through strategic partners.

December 13, 2005