Biocon arm Clinigene in pact with US company for speciality biomarkers

Clinigene International, a subsidiary of Biocon, has entered into a collaboration agreement with Pacific Biomarkers, a Seattle, Washington-based company, for meeting speciality biomarker and high-end clinical trial laboratory needs of the global pharmaceutical and biotech industry.

Clinigene offers end-to-end clinical and laboratory services for accelerating clinical research while Pacific Biomarkers is a leader in providing speciality biomarkers and clinical diagnostic assay services to discovery and development-based life science enterprises, a Biocon release said.

''PBI is a recognised global leader in providing specialty biomarkers and clinical diagnostic assay services to discovery - and development-based life science enterprises. We are delighted that the company has selected Clinigene as its partner in India and we look forward to supporting Pacific Biomarkers in extending and expanding its speciality services offering,'' Peter Bains, Biocon's director of research services business, said.

"This partnership with Clinigene provides us access to India, an emerging hub for drug development and contract research. Further, Clinigene's state-of-the-art facilities and highly qualified staff help us offer to all of our clients an economic option to conduct their biomarker and specialty clinical lab tests. We are also excited about Clinigene's unique capabilities in cell-based assays and immunoanalytical testing services, which are of great interest to the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology community," said Ronald Helm, CEO of Pacific Biomarkers.

Established in 2000, Clinigene, a fully-owned subsidiary of Biocon Limited, is a full-service contract research organisation (CRO) providing early-stage as well as late-phase clinical solutions, and central laboratory, immunoanalytical and data management services.

Clinigene operates a CAP-accredited central lab and GLP-compliant bioanalytical laboratory for small and large molecules, and a 104-bed clinical pharmaceutical unit in Bangalore. Clinigene's early-phase clinic and laboratories have been inspected by EMEA and the US FDA.

Established in 1989, PBI provides biomarker laboratory services and contract research services to support pharmaceutical and diagnostic manufacturers conducting human clinical trial research. The company provides expert services in the areas of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases, diabetes, obesity, and nutrition.