The agreement is worth Euros 5.3 million and involves transfer of Medipolis’s manufacturing technology research project for a human insulin analogue (a biologically active drug) used in treating diabetes. According to the terms of the agreement, Medipolis grants Bioton a licence for using its technology for further research and development and later for manufacturing and commercial purposes.

The agreement was marked as ‘a major breakthrough’ for Oulu-based Medipolis by Professor Taina Pihlajaniemi, Vice Rector of the University of Oulu. He added that ‘Medipolis’s determined drug development work and its commitment to the project have been impressive. The core competence of the University of Oulu Biocenter has been utilised in the development process, and Oulu’s strong medical and bioscience know-how and regional infrastructure have also supported the work well.’

Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body makes little or no insulin, or because cells do not respond to insulin that is produced. Globally, as of 2012, an estimated 346 million people have diabetes. By 2025, it is estimated that the number will increase to 400 million.

Dr Ashesh Kumar, Director and Head of Medipolis, said that ‘this biosimilar development project will help bring us affordable health care for [patients] by providing more economical technologies for the production of off-patent biologicals.’

This is not the first time Bioton has made a deal with respect to insulin. Back in January 2012 the company entered into a joint venture with Icelandic generics manufacturer Actavis for the development and registration of insulin products, including analogue insulin [1].

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Reference

1.  GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Actavis and Bioton form joint venture for insulin [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2012 Oct 5]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Pharma-News/Actavis-and-Bioton-form-joint-venture-for-insulin

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