Biocon launches pen like device to administer insulin

Will take on competitors such as Novo Nordisk and Sanofi in premium insulin segment

Bio pharma major Biocon on Wednesday opened Rs 100 crore facility to make pen-like devices that help administer insulin to diabetes patients as part of its Make in India initiative.

The locally built product, called Basalog and designed in collaboration with Becton Dickinson, will compete with similar products from Novo Nordisk and Sanofi.

Biocon, which has capacity to make 10 million devices a year in its unit would take disposable insulin glargine pen to the US market in 2018,said Kiran Mazumdar chairperson and managing director of Biocon.

"Called Basalog One, this device will be pre-filled with insulin. Our aim is to provide insulin products to one in five diabetics using insulin, anywhere in the world," she said. The factory has capacity to increase production by four fold but would look at expanding production based on product's growth in the market.

The product, under the Basalog umbrella, has been offered as vials, refills and reusble devices since 2009. The pen-like device will help it target the premium market that exists for such products.

"We will be providing a high-end patient friendly basal insulin glargine pen in India first and global markets, subsequently," Shaw said in a statement.

The Biocon founder did not rule out a US listing of Biocon, but added it has to wait as there "are much bigger things to look at at this time". Biocon is focused on getting regulatory approvals for its insulin and cancer care products in the US and Europe.