Biocon arm Syngene, Endo Pharma tie up for biological cancer drug

Syngene International, a subsidiary of biotechnology major Biocon Ltd, has entetred into a discovery and development collaboration with US-based Endo Pharmaceuticals to develop novel biological therapeutic molecules against cancer.

Under the agreement, Endo will retain all rights to the molecules developed while Syngene will receive milestone payments and success fees from Endo.

"Cancer research and new onco-therapies are poised to pave the way for the next breakthrough in cancer therapy," even as cancer is set to overtake heart disease as the world's most profile killer, the company said in a release.

Biological targeted therapies are increasing time to progression and survival rates, the release added.

Syngene and Endo Pharma hopes to leverage their synergistic capabilities to develop novel therapeutic molecules for a robust cancer drug pipeline.

" We are very pleased to enter into this collaboration with Endo Pharmaceuticals as it showcases Syngene's expertise as an integrated custom research service provider.

This agreement was also very significant considering the fact that it is for the first time in India that such a deal has been signed, involving the discovry of biological therapeutic entity," said Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon Group.