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SUN PHARMA & ICGEB TO JOINTLY DEVELOP
AFFORDABLE 'MADE IN INDIA' DENGUE VACCINE
Now in a major step towards the ensuring protection against
dengue, the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology (ICGEB) and Sun Pharma have announced their new
collaboration for development of a dengue vaccine, targeted against
all the four serotypes of Dengue virus that cause disease in humans.
ICGEB has developed a tailored recombinant virus-like-particle
(VLP) based tetravalent dengue vaccine, containing host-receptor
binding domain of envelope protein of all the four DENV serotypes.
ICGEB has conducted pre-clinical studies over the past seven years
and developed the existing Know-How and Patents for this dengue
vaccine candidate.
This is the second collaboration between Sun Pharma and ICGEB
focusing on dengue. The first one announc.ed in May 2016 was
related to the development of a botanical drug for treatment of
Dengue. The current collaboration is focussed on developing a
novel, safe & effective vaccine for the prevention of dengue.
Initial findings of ICGEB’s Dengue vaccine indicate that the
candidate induces serotypespecific non-cross-reactive and strongly
neutralizing antibodies without disease enhancing concerns. These
features of the candidate vaccine differentiate this vaccine
development programme from other vaccine programs that are
developed or in development globally. This vaccine development
will focus on suitability for all target population whether previously
affected or non-affected, including paediatric and adults and
traveller population.
Commenting on the new collaboration signed with ICGEB, Mr Kirti
Ganorkar, Executive VP and Head, Global Business Development,
Sun Pharma, said, “Our new collaboration with ICGEB for
developing an affordable dengue vaccine is part of our broader
commitment for developing new and improved vaccines and drugs
against flaviviruses that are of significant health importance to India
and rest of the world. Our decision to partner with ICGEB on
dengue vaccine program followed extensive due diligence and
expert consultations on existing dengue vaccine programs globally.”
BIOCON'S NET PROFIT JUMPS TO RS 146.7 CR IN 2ND
QUARTER OF FY 2016-17
Biotechnology
major Biocon
has reported a
consolidated
net profit of Rs
146.7 crore for
the second
quarter ended
September 30,
2016. The
company had
posted a net
loss of Rs 10.6
crore for the
corresponding
period of the
previous fiscal,
Biocon said in a filing to BSE. Consolidated total income from
operations rose to Rs 954.1 crore for the quarter under
consideration from Rs 796.2 crore in the same period a year ago.
Commenting on the development, Biocon Chairperson and MD
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said: "Our performance in Q2 FY17, was
led by strong growth across Small Molecules, Biologics and
Research Services."
Expansion of the company's biologics footprint in emerging
30
BioVoiceNews | November 2016
markets and licensing agreements boosted the revenue further,
she added. "The acceptance of our proposed biosimilar
Trastuzumab filing for review by EMA was a critical milestone
this quarter. This is our second filing in EU. The tentative
USFDA approval for Rosuvastatin calcium tablets heralds our
entry into the US generics market," Mazumdar-Shaw said.
The company's long-term investments