BMS, Syngene extend research collaboration for five years

Since 2007, BMS has been working with Syngene and its corporate parent, Biocon, to develop integrated capabilities in medicinal and process chemistry, biology, biotechnology, biomarkers, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, analytical research, as well as pharmaceutical development at the Biocon Bristol-Myers Squibb Research Center (BBRC) in Bangalore.

The collaboration has produced six drug candidates for further study and also helped BMS reduce the time and costs related with advancing new compounds to first-in-human studies.

Currently, one drug candidate discovered at BBRC is in clinical trials.

Early nonclinical development work completed at BBRC has allowed most of BMS’ small molecule assets to advance to later stages of development over the last five years.

Syngene International director Peter Bains said the company is happy to extend its discovery and development partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb for another five years.

"This extension reflects the strength of our existing collaboration which has delivered many successful outcomes," Bains said.

"The scope of Syngene’s engagement has expanded to encompass a broad range of integrated service offerings across the drug discovery and development continuum.

"We remain committed to supporting Bristol-Myers Squibb in their pursuit of developing new and innovative medicines for the future."

BMS executive vice president and chief scientific officer Francis Cuss said,"The BBRC has supported the nonclinical development of a large proportion of our small-molecule portfolio assets since its inception, and is a premier example of the high-quality innovative drug hunting that is taking place in India today."

Over the years, BBRC has become BMS’ largest research and development center outside the US, housing more than 400 scientists.

Image: So far, the BMS-Syngene collaboration has produced six drug candidates for further study. Photo: courtesy of antpkr/ freedigitalphotos.net