Biocon Limited operates a biotechnology company that engages in the manufacture of biotechnological products in the pharmaceutical and enzyme sectors through fermentation based technology.
Products
BIOPHARMACEUTICALS
The company manufactures various biopharmaceuticals ranging from small molecules to biologicals and dosage forms
Pharmaceutical segment offers therapeutic molecules ranging from small molecules (statins, immunosuppressants) to recombinant proteins (human insulin, vaccines, monoc...
Biocon Limited operates a biotechnology company that engages in the manufacture of biotechnological products in the pharmaceutical and enzyme sectors through fermentation based technology.
Products
BIOPHARMACEUTICALS
The company manufactures various biopharmaceuticals ranging from small molecules to biologicals and dosage forms
Pharmaceutical segment offers therapeutic molecules ranging from small molecules (statins, immunosuppressants) to recombinant proteins (human insulin, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies) derived from microbial and mammalian cell culture-based fermentation technologies in the therapeutic segments, including diabetology, cardiology and oncology.
Small molecules
Small molecules include Anti-Diabetic Agents (Acarbose, Nateglinide, Pioglitazone, Repaglinide, Rosiglitazone); Anti-Hypertensive Agents (Candesartan Cilexitil); Anti-Inflammatory Agents (Serratiopeptidase, Trypsin Chymotrypsin); Anti-Oxidants (Alpha Lipoic Acid, Co-enzyme Q10, L-Carnitine); Cardiovascular Agents (Atorvastatin, Lovastatin, Pravastatin, Simvastatin); Digestive-Aid Enzymes (Bile Extract, Fungal Lactase, Pancreatin, Papain, Pepsin); Hemostatic Agents (Citrus Bioflavinoids, Ethamsylate); Hepatoprotective Agents (L-Ornithine-L-Aspartate); Immunosuppressants (Mycophenolate Mofetil, Tacrolimus);and Neutraceuticals (Carbonyl Iron, Chondroitin Sulphate, Glucosamine Sulphate, Iron Polymaltose Complex, Methyl Sulphonyl Methane).
Statins: Statins are cholesterol-lowering agents used to treat and prevent coronary diseases and are amongst the selling drugs worldwide. The company’s Statins portfolio includes Lovastatin, Simvastatin, Pravastatin, and Atorvastatin.
Immunosuppressants: Immunosuppressants prevent organ and tissue rejection in transplants and require high technology based manufacturing capabilities. Biocon produces Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus on its indigenous fermentation based platform.
Biologicals
In Biologicals the company focuses on products, such as recombinant human insulin, streptokinase, granulocyte stimulating factor (GCSF), human growth hormone (HGH), EPO and Monoclonal Antibodies.
Dosage Forms
The company offers a range of fast moving products in the therapeutic segments of cardiology and diabetes.
Other biopharmaceutical products: The bio-pharmaceutical products include Recombinant Human Insulin, which has completed Phase III clinical trials in India.
ENZYMES
The company manufactures and markets various industrial enzymes, food additives and process aids. It supplies approximately 50 countries across various industry segments, including healthcare, beverage, brewing, baking, fruit juice, starch & alcohol, sugar, animal health, paper & pulp, textiles leather and detergent.
Biocon’s enzymes include Amylases, Amyloglucosidases, Cellulases, Catalase, Lipases, Glucanases, Hemicellulases, Phytases, Proteases, and Pectinases.
Food Additives
Biocon produces a variety of food additives such as emulsifiers, hydrocolloids, natural colours, speciality fats, specialised proteins and improvers for use in the food ingredient, beverage and brewing industries.
Process Aids
Biocon manufactures various process aids such as fining agents and silica or xero gels for use in the food ingredient, beverage and brewing industries.
Fining agents: Fining agents are used in the brewing industry for clarification of beer.
Silica Gels / Xero Gels: Gels act as stabilizers, preventing chill and permanent haze in beer, while imparting flavour, foam and colour to it.
Subsidiaries and Joint ventures
Biocon, Ltd. has entered into an agreement with Innate Pharmaceuticals AB to work jointly on the development of virulent blockers a class of drugs used in the treatment of bacterial diarrhoea.
Syngene International Private Limited: The company’s subsidiary, Syngene, provides chemistry and molecular-based custom research services in early stage drug discovery and development.
Clinigene International Private Limited: The company’s subsidiary, Clinigene, conducts longitudinal research in diabetes and offers various in drug development and clinical trials.
Biocon Biopharmaceuticals Private Limited: The Company is a 51:49 Joint Ventures between the Company and CIMAB S.A. The Company proposes to commercialize the production of monoclonal antibodies and Erythropoietin (EPO) using a specialized Mammalian cell culture technology and Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (GCSF) through bacterial fermentation. The monoclonal antibody is a NBE (New Biological Entity) for the treatment of head and neck cancers and represents a significant initiative in the Company’s foray into original molecules through extensive clinical testing.
In March 2009, Biocon Ltd. opened its new research and development facility, in collaboration with US-based Bristol Myers Squibb, at Biocon Park in Bengaluru. Facility would be dedicated to the discovery and development of new drugs, from initial hit to lead optimisation to early pharmaceutical development to clinical nomination to phase I and phase II clinical studies. The opening up of this facility is an integral part of company's strategy to access top talent around the world and establish a research and development presence in Asia.
Services
Clinical Research
Clinigene is a Clinical Research Organization that offers global biotechnology and pharmaceutical major clinical trial services, regulatory and laboratory capabilities for clinical drug development. Clingene accredited Central Reference Laboratory with clinical specializations in biochemistry, haematology, histopathology and microbiology. Its value-added services include patient registries and clinical databases in diabetes, lipidemia, oncology, cardiovascular diseases.
Custom Research
Syngene is an internationally reputed Custom Research Company (CRC) with multi-disciplinary skills in synthetic chemistry and molecular biology. It conducts high value R&D in early stage drug discovery and development for a diverse global clientele.
Significant Events
Biocon Biopharmaceuticals has formed a joint venture with Cimab, S. A to develop a new antibody drug for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriasis in the United States. The companies are developing the drug, CD 6, which is in phase II of clinical trials.
The company has entered into a strategic partnership with IATRICa, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, to co-develop a new class of immunoconjugates for targeted immunotherapy of cancers and infectious diseases.
Biocon, Ltd. has a strategic partnership with IATRICa, Inc., to co-develop a class of immunoconjugates for targeted immunotherapy of cancers and infectious diseases. This development would transform the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. The partnership would also provide treatment for major neoplastic and infectious diseases.
Biocon, Ltd., which partnered the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) institute through a NIMITLI (the New Millennium India Technology Leadership Initiative) project, has developed a recombinant enzyme expression system which has applications in food, cattlefeed and industry.
On September 10, 2009, Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Biocon Limited announced that they have entered into an agreement to jointly develop, commercialize and manufacture a peptide therapeutic for the potential treatment of diabetes. Amylin and Biocon would collaborate to develop the therapeutic potential of the compound.
In October 2009, Amylin Pharmaceuticals has signed an agreement with Biocon Limited to jointly develop, commercialize, and manufacture a peptide therapy for the treatment of diabetes.
History
Biocon Limited was founded by Ms. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw in 1978. The company was formerly known as Biocon India Limited and changed its name to Biocon Limited in 2003.