A biosimilar manufacturer: Biocon

Biocon is a global biopharmaceutical company with products and research services ranging from pre-clinical to clinical development through to commercialization. 

Biocon is a fully integrated healthcare company that delivers innovative biopharmaceutical solutions¹. From discovery to development and commercialisation, the Company has the defining science, cost-effective drug development capabilities and significant manufacturing capacity to move ideas to market.

Biocon manufactures generic active pharmaceutical ingredients like statins and immunosuppressants that are sold in the developed markets of the United States and Europe². It also manufactures biosimilar insulins, which are sold in India as branded formulations and in both bulk and formulation forms.

Biocon is the first company to have successfully commercialized the large-scale manufacture of human insulin, using a proprietary methylotrophic yeast based technology. This resulted in the launch of their insulin brand, Insugen®, in 2004, representing the company’s entry into the branded formulations market.

Biocon’s human insulin facility employs several sophisticated technologies and equipment used for the first time in India. Investments made in the human insulin facility can support other products in Biocon’s research pipeline such as IN-105, the novel insulin conjugate for oral delivery and other insulin analogs. The expertise developed in protein processing, formulation and aseptic fill-finish is also leveraged for commercializing therapeutic peptides.

BIOSIMILARS
Biocon has also invested significantly in the development of other biosimilars such as granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), streptokinase, reteplase, human growth hormone, etc. using bacterial (E.coli) & yeast fermentations.

Biocon has in progress, several biosimilar programs that are of strategic importance. Additionally, in addition to a couple of biosimilars, Biocon has some novel biopharmaceuticals in their pipeline. Anti-CD6 for rheumatoid arthritis&psoriasis, anti-CD20 for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma are some of these novel products.

Also last year, Biocon signed a strategic agreement with Pfizer for the worldwide commercialization of Biocon’s biosimilar versions of insulin and insulin analog products: Recombinant Human Insulin, Glargine, Aspart and Lispro³.

As part of the deal, Pfizer will have exclusive rights to commercialize these products globally, with certain exceptions, including co-exclusive rights for all of the products with Biocon in Germany, India and Malaysia.

The company’s current biopharmaceuticals pipeline can be seen below:

Sources:
1: http://www.biocon.com
2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biocon
3: http://bit.ly/dyRAo6