Suven Life Sciences institutes scientific advisory board for CNS research

Hyderabad: Suven Life Sciences, formerly Suven Pharma, has instituted a scientific advisory board consisting of well-known scientists Dr Mariene L Cohen, Dr James L Howard and Dr Warren Stem who are expected to provide inputs, direction and guidance to Suven's management in the therapeutic area of central nervous system (CNS).

Dr Warren is the inventor of six patented products including CNS drugs while Dr James is a senior partner at Howard Associates LLC. Dr Marlene is an adjunct professor of the Indiana University School of Medicine and has earlier worked for Eli Lilly and Company.

At its first meeting in Suven Life Sciences LLC in the US, the scientific advisory team complimented the Suven team on the work done by the company. Further, it was proposed to have three sittings of SAB meetings per year according to the company.
Suven Life Sciences is focused on emerging as the partner of choice in providing contract research and manufacturing services (CRAMS) for global pharmaceutical companies (post 2005, when India starts accepting product patents). CRAMS represents a significant external opportunity for focused and competent companies in patented/ generic bulk actives, intermediates and fine chemicals.

The company had as far back as 1994 identified CRAMs leading to manufacturing (partnering in drug development with US based companies) as the area of its focus. Venkat Jasti, managing director, Suven Life Sciences, formerly Suven Pharma, and first generation entrepreneur, feels the company's strategy of partnering in drug discovery support services has immense potential. Besides initial and milestone payments, there is also the possibility of royalties if research results in intellectual property rights.

According to the company, India can tap into a global opportunity of doing contract manufacture for patented drugs worth about $13bn by 2005, just 10 percent of the entire global market.