Nicholas Piramal

Traditional remedies offer opportunities, challenges

Thu, 08 May 2008 06:59:55 -0400

The Financial Times delves into the push to develop new therapeutics from traditional Chinese and Indian remedies. There have been successes, including the anti-malarial artemether, which was developed from a plant long used to treat fevers. But researchers note that there are some extraordinary challenges. Natural remedies often rely on a volatile mix of natural ingredients that can have a radically varied effect on different people.

"Traditional medicines can be very dangerous," says Paul Herrling, Novartis' chief of corporate research. "Practitioners had no concept of statistics or of long-term consequences such as treatments that may cause cancer when used over many years."

Novartis and Merck were the only two big pharma companies to stay in the field. And a slate of biotechs joined them, including Nicholas Piramal and Phytopharm. MerLion in Singapore has been active as well after acquiring some of GlaxoSmithKline's traditional assets.

- read the article in the Financial Times

India eyes R&D opportunities

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:59:55 -0400

India-based drugs have made a name for themselves as makers of copycat drugs. When a developer's lucrative drug goes off-patent, Indian companies are guaranteed to swoop in and make a less-expensive knock-off of the therapy. It's a strategy that's definitly paid off for the developers.

But now some of these companies are shifting gears and developing their own drugs from scratch. Why now? Mainly because the talent pool in India has improved to the point where drugmakers have the resources to do their own R&D. "In the past, anyone interested in fundamental research had to go to the West, but the talent is here and now the barrier is broken," says Ian Cliffe, a senior executive at Ranbaxy. Another factor is India's new patent protection laws, which were a condition of its acceptance into the World Trade Organization.

Ranbaxy recently announced plans to spin off its R&D unit. Sun Pharma, Orchid Research, Wockhardt, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and Nicholas Piramal all have plans to do the same. India is betting its lower costs and talent pool will give it a leg up in the global pharmaceutical market in the coming years.

- read the Financial Times article for more

Related Articles:
Ranbaxy spins off R&D unit. Ranbaxy report
Ranbaxy touts R&D abilities in new discovery pact. Ranbaxy report
Glenmark to spin off generics business. Glenmark report

Indian developer inks R&D pact with Merck

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:59:57 -0500

China may have seized the spotlight in the Pacific Rim recently with a string of new research developments, but India's still a player. India's Nicholas Piramal has inked an R&D pact with Merck, agreeing to advance experimental therapies for two oncology targets selected by Merck in exchange for milestone payments of up to $175 million for each new drug. Nicholas Piramal will be responsible for taking new drugs from discovery to mid-stage trials, and Merck will cherry pick the therapies it likes the best for late-stage trials.

"This agreement furthers our strategy of building global alliances that expand and advance Merck's pipeline, especially in countries such as India with rapidly expanding drug discovery competencies," said Merv Turner, senior vice president at Merck.

- see this release on the deal
- here's the report from MarketWatch for more

ALSO: Eli Lilly, meanwhile, says it will invest $100 million in China's R&D through Lilly Asian Ventures. It's primary focus will be fledgling life science companies. Report

Related Articles:
China now leads India in ongoing clinical trials. Report
China surges past India in drug discovery work. Report
India ramps up biotech funding. Report