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NPIL, CBT tie up for GenoMed

Our Correspondent in Bombay

Nicholas Piramal India Limited and the Centre for Biochemical Technology, a government-controlled laboratory under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, have forged a 50:50 knowledge venture for a nine-year programme called GenoMed.

The programme seeks to work for the development of a new generation of therapeutics and diagnostics, in the post genome-sequencing era. Huge amount of data on gene sequencing in the public domain will be used to generate secondary data like variation in genomic material and their links to specific diseases.

Project officials said this route was adopted as India cannot afford the expensive primary data collection through gene sequencing.

Business operations will be in the area of bioinformatics (application of information technology in biotechnology), creation of gene databases and pharmacogenics (making gene-based drugs).

A scientific advisory board comprising members from Nicholas Piramal and the CBT will advise GenoMed on business projects to be undertaken.

Mehta Partners, a securities firm on the Wall Street specialising in genomics, has been appointed as a strategic advisor for Nicholas Piramal.

Nicholas Piramal will gain access to the CSIR's genome knowledge in certain domains.

Dr R A Mashelkar, director general, CSIR, and secretary, department of scientific and industrial research, said the government stands to get Rs 80 million over three years from Nicholas Piramal by way of technology-transfer fee. This, he said, is the highest amount received by the CSIR in its 58 years of existence. Nicholas Piramal has already paid Rs 20 million.

A new company called GeneQuest is also being formed to further the field of genomics in India. At a later date, Nicholas Piramal would seek a foreign partner to make GeneQuest a joint venture.

(Genomics = study of actual sequences of genes to determine the function of each gene as well as a combination of genes. It is the entire process of creating gene-based drugs and therapies starting from gene sequencing to analysis and interpretation of drug development.)

He said the infamous practice of Corporate India ignoring global-scale scientific breakthroughs is now history with Nicholas Piramal's foray into genomics. "After information technology, this field is the next 'big opportunity' for India Inc. Thankfully, we don't have to play catch-up like before. As far genomics is concerned, India is on par with advanced countries," he said.

India's genetic diversity in the form of over 3,000 communities, several thousands of castes and tribes, gives Corporate India a huge advantage in genomics, he added.

Prof Samir K Brahmachari, director, CBT, said, "GenoMed is a culmination of three years of scientific effort. It will seek to convert some of the genomics knowledge into products and processes. The dream of converting genetic wealth to economic wealth for better and affordable healthcare for the people of India could become a reality."

Dr Swati Piramal, chief scientific officer, Nicholas Piramal, said that the joint venture would take a year to break even and could post profits shortly thereafter. 'This is not an exclusive tie-up for CBT. It may tie up with companies other than Nicholas Piramal," she said.

Prof Brahmachari said Ranbaxy Laboratories is also keen on a tie-up with the CBT.

India, Dr Piramal said, offers scope for work in disease areas like diabetes, schizophrenia, malaria, asthma and central nervous system diseases. "Gujarat, Bengal and Tamil Nadu have prevalence of diabetes and offer scope for generating huge genetic data."

Genomics helps companies to make individual-specific, low-cost, efficient and harmless medicine, Dr Piramal said. "This will impact on many other areas of study, including gene therapy, research and development, technology and software, and will create new fields of study. Genomics will capture spotlight in companies, hospital and the stock markets."

Genomics will also find application in early and accurate diagnosis and treatment, organ replacements, cost-effective approval of drugs by market regulators, analyses of genetic make-up of various races.

EXTERNAL LINKS:

The Centre for Biochemical Technology

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

Nicholas Piramal India Limited

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