Sun Pharma arm to out-license products to MNCs

Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company (Sparc), the demerged drug research and development arm of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, plans to license out some of its new chemical entities (NCE) and novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) under development at advanced stages of development to multinational companies.

Sparc, which is developing about 10 NCEs and NDDS products, will monetise the products with out-licensing and launching on its own in domestic and regulated markets in the next two-three years, Dilip S Shanghvi, chairman and managing director, told an analysts’ conference today.

“Our idea is to bring the products closer to the market and out-license after establishing its safety and efficacy, which will help to monetise better,” he said.

Sparc’s flagship product, SUN 1334 H, for the therapy of allergic disorders such as seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, is being tested for its cardiac and renal side effects and is in the final phase of clinical trials. It requires clinical trials ranging between 18 and 24 months for this drug to reach the market. The product is also being tested for additional indications like eye disorders, said C T Rao, head of Sparc’s new drug research programmes.

Another product, SUN-S 461, for use in the treatment of asthma, allergic rhinitis and compulsive pulmonary disorder (COPD), is being re-worked as a new molecule named S-597 for superior effects.