Biocon expands tie-up with Bristol-Myers

US-India collaboration has helped Bristol-Myers Squibb reduce in advancing new compounds to first-in-human studies

Bristol-Myers Squibb, the NYSE listed global pharma major and Syngene International, the contract research subsidiary of India's largest publicly held biotechnology company - Biocon, have announced a five-year extension of their drug discovery and development collaboration in India.

The financial terms were not disclosed.

Since 2007, Bristol-Myers Squibb has been working with Syngene and its corporate parent, Biocon, to develop integrated capabilities in medicinal and process chemistry, biology, biotechnology, biomarkers, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, analytical research, and pharmaceutical development at the Biocon Bristol-Myers Squibb Research Center (BBRC) in Bangalore.

The U.S.-India collaboration has produced six drug candidates for further study and also helped Bristol-Myers Squibb reduce in advancing new compounds to first-in-human studies. One drug candidate currently in clinical trials was discovered at BBRC and early non-clinical development work done at BBRC has enabled most of Bristol-Myers Squibb's small molecule assets to advance to later stages of development over the last five years.

Commenting on the new agreement, Peter Bains, Director, Syngene International, said: "We are extremely delighted to extend our discovery and development partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb for another five years. This extension reflects the strength of our existing collaboration which has delivered many successful outcomes. The scope of Syngene's engagement has expanded to encompass a broad range of integrated service offerings across the drug discovery and development continuum. We remain committed to supporting

Bristol-Myers Squibb in their pursuit of developing new and innovative medicines for the future."

Francis Cuss, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, said: "I am excited about the opportunity to continue our collaboration with Biocon and Syngene. The BBRC has supported the nonclinical development of a large proportion of our small-molecule portfolio assets since its inception, and is a premier example of the high-quality innovative drug hunting that is taking place in India today."

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Syngene jointly developed the BBRC at Biocon Park in Bangalore. Over the years, BBRC has become Bristol-Myers Squibb's largest research and development center outside the United States, housing more than 400 scientists.