Biocon ties up with IATRICa for cancer drug development

17 January 2008

Mumbai: Biocon Ltd has entered into a strategic partnership with IATRICa Inc. of the US to co-develop an exclusive new class of immunoconjugates for targeted immunotherapy of cancers and infectious diseases.

The companies will co-develop candidate products based upon IATRICa's technology platform and Biocon's proven expertise in drug development, biologics manufacturing, and clinical research, Biocon said in filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

IATRICa's technology enables development of a diverse spectrum of immunoconjugates that are capable of activating potent targeted immune responses against various tumors or pathogens, said Biocon chairman and managing director Kiron-Mazumdar Shaw.

The companies will leverage and integrate their synergistic R&D expertise to formulate and test next-generation antibody-based immunoconjugates that are more effective than current therapeutic antibodies against cancers and infectious disorders, Biocon said in the filing.

In addition to a co-development and licensing agreement, Biocon has also made an equity investment in IATRICa.

"This collaboration will dovetail IATRICa's innovative cutting-edge technology and research expertise with Biocon's established expertise in the development, manufacturing, and clinical testing of biologic therapeutics. This symbiotic partnership should accelerate clinical development of innovative bio-hybrid molecules for targeted immunotherapy and thereby reinforce our shared endeavor to provide effective new treatments for major neoplastic and infectious diseases," said Mazumdar-Shaw.