Biocon to list 2 subsidiaries, says Shaw

Bangalore-based biotechnology firm Biocon is planning to list two of its arms, Syngene International Ltd and Clinigene International Ltd, by next year, according to company Chairman and Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.

Clinigene is a full-service clinical research organisation that services global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in their clinical development programmes, whereas Syngene is a contract research and manufacturing organisation that services pharmaceutical and biotechnological firms.

When asked about the earlier delay in Syngene’s listing, Shaw said that the process to list the subsidiaries is proceeding now and it will be over by next year. The biopharma major had deferred plans to list Syngene in 2008. But the decision to list Clinigene also is a new development in the company.

Meanwhile, Biocon is planning to increase the headcount in its R&D units to 4,000 from the existing 3,500 this financial year. The company also outsources 25 per cent of its R&D to academic institutes and smaller hubs, she noted. Shaw said the Indian pharmaceutical business will develop into non-generic areas only when more intellectual properties are filed and protected by the law in the country. Biocon’s patent portfolio amounts to 942 applications worldwide with over 182 granted patents.

On setting up of multi-manufacturing facilities, she said the company would expand to other cities only after the development of its hub in Vishakapatnam, which will be set up within two years.

The company has entered into a drug supply pact with US-based company Mylan to improve the marketing prospects of Biocon’s generic drugs in the international market as Mylan has the required regulatory knowledge, Shaw said.