Biotech firm Biocon ties up with Baxter for new research centre

Syngene International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bangalore-based biopharmaceutical firm Biocon Ltd, has collaborated with global pharmaceutical company Baxter International to establish the Baxter Global Research Center (BGRC), aimed at making a contribution to battling chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer.

Union health and family welfare minister Ghulam Nabi Azad inaugurated the new centre on Wednesday at Syngene in Biocon Park, off Hosur Road in Bangalore. Speaking at the inaugural function, Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw said, "We share a common vision with Baxter, focused on developing pharmaceutical products that advance patient care worldwide, and this new research centre will be a significant step towards enabling that objective."

The Syngene team, working closely with Baxter scientists, will engage in a wide range of R&D activities centred on product and analytical development and pre-clinical evaluation in parenteral nutrition and renal therapy, she added.

Jean-Luc Butel, corporate vice-president and international president, Baxter, said, " Syngene facility dedicated to providing Baxter with technical and scientific capabilities will augment its internal resources and help save and sustain patients' lives worldwide."

Peter Bains, director of Syngene International Ltd, added that a team of over 100 multidisciplinary Syngene scientists will be based at the centre.

The collaboration will support Baxter in the research and development of medical products and devices to serve patients both in India and around the world''

A statement by the joint venture said the rising incidence of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular and renal diseases pose an enormous challenge and disease burden for the various healthcare systems around the world.

Thus, there was a compelling need to intensify research and development efforts for developing novel therapeutics and diagnostic capabilities that enable the government agencies to meet the challenges of affordability and access to treatment.

(See: Azad gives pharma firms hopes of easing clinical trial norms)