BMS expands Indian biotech collaboration
pharmafile | March 21, 2007 | News story | Research and Development |Â Â BMS, IndiaÂ
Bristol-Myers Squibb will establish a new integrated drug development facility in Bangalore as part of an expansion of its R&D presence in India.
The pharma company will significantly increase its collaboration with Indian biotech company Biocon by setting up a new research facility that could ultimately house more than 400 scientists.
The deal focuses on discovery and early drug development work and will see BMS expand its long-running partnership with Biocon's subsidiary Syngene.
Chief scientific officer and president of BMS' Pharmaceutical Research Institute Elliott Sigal said: "This broad expansion of R&D in India will allow us to grow competitively while maintaining our industry-leading position in productivity and innovation.
"Through this partnership with Syngene, Bristol-Myers Squibb will continue to access world-class talent to deliver and grow our robust product pipeline."
Biocon was established in 1978 and is India's first biotechnology company. It employs more than 500 in its subsidiary Syngene, which was the country's first company to offer custom research biotech drug discovery.
Syngene's chief operating officer Dr Goutam Das said: "Bristol-Myers Squibb has been a valued customer of Syngene since 1998. This enhanced partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb heralds a new phase in Syngene's advancing capabilities in providing high end services in discovery research."
BMS has also signed a separate agreement with Accenture to outsource a range of functions to India, including clinical data and document management, pharmacovigilance and scientific writing functions.
Jonathan Lange, a partner in Accenture's Health & Life Sciences practice and global lead for the company's clinical services offering, said: "As the industry continues to face increased pressure to deliver new product innovations efficiently, leading companies are rethinking R&D operating models for sustained growth and productivity.
"Through our R&D Centers of Excellence, we are building assets and a collaborative working model that will fuel high performance for Bristol-Myers Squibb’s R&D efforts."
The management consultancy and outsourcing company's Bangalore and Chennai offices will also provide maintenance and support for BMS R&D information systems.
BMS' Elliott Sigal added: "This broad expansion of R&D in India will allow us to grow competitively while maintaining our industry-leading position in productivity and innovation.
"Working with Biocon and Accenture, two well-respected and valued partners, Bristol-Myers Squibb will continue to access world-class talent to deliver and grow our robust product pipeline."
The pharma company is currently conducting clinical trials in India for a number of its products, including phase III work for aripiprazole in bipolar depression and saxagliptin in type II diabetes.
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