The Hindu Business Line : Allergan opens R&D centre in Bangalore

Bangalore, Aug. 8 Eye care multinational company Allergan said it was ramping up its research and development activity in India through a new, fully owned R&D arm in Bangalore.

Allergan Pharmaceutical Development Centre India Pvt Ltd that opened on Wednesday will do basic and clinical research related to ophthalmology, neurology and urology, said Dr Scott M. Whitcup, Executive Vice-President and head of the company’s global R&D. “Our goal is to develop new and innovative treatments that will benefit patients in India and the rest of the world,” Dr Whitcup told a news conference. “For us, (the new centre) is the start of an increasing involvement in India.”

Allergan would invest $3-5 million in this activity in the first two years and look at increasing it thereafter.

This would be an important centre taking up seven projects meant for the global market and would be part of the Europe and Asia team. The Bangalore centre would start with 15 scientists – including clinical professionals and data management personnel – and double the strength over three years, said Dr Raman Shetty, head of the research centre.

As the nodal body for all research activities of the company in India, it would participate in global multi-centre clinical trials and explore tie-ups with medical institutions, research institutes such as the Indian Institute of Science, universities, and doctors.

UNDER TRIAL

A new drug, a sustained-release implant for diabetics and vascular patients, is undergoing phase 3 clinical trials in the country and will be put up for regulatory approval during 2008-09. Dr Whitcup said the drug was being tested on 1,000 patients worldwide.

The US major has been present here since 1996 as a 51:49 venture with Nicholas Piramal — which manufactures Allergan’s products for the Indian market. While the research centre increased Allergan’s visibility in India, the commercial tie-up with NPIL would continue, the officials said.

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