Bangalore, India, June 4, 2012

Abbott, one of India's largest healthcare companies, today inaugurated its first nutrition research and development center in the country, in collaboration with Syngene, India's leading contract research organization. The Abbott Nutrition R&D Center was inaugurated by Dr. Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister of India on Public Information Infrastructure & Innovations and Chairman of the National Innovation Council.

The state-of-the-art R&D center will focus on the development of science-based, affordable nutrition products for the country and enable the expansion of Abbott's nutrition product portfolio. The facility will extend to over 13.000sq feet and house a range of integrated capabilities including product development and analytical laboratories as well as a dedicated laboratory for analyzing flavor, sensory elements and packaging. The analytical lab will be equipped with technology for a broad spectrum of nutritional analysis ranging from micronutrient to microbiological testing.

Abbott selected Syngene – a subsidiary of Biocon Group, the largest biotech company in India – to provide a science-based research and innovation team to work closely with Abbott researchers. More than 50 researchers and scientists will be based at the Abbott Nutrition R&D Center in India at Biocon Park in Bangalore.

The new R&D center will focus on the development of nutrition products for maternal and child nutrition and diabetes care. The center will tap into local expertise to focus on product design, development and delivery specifically for the Indian consumer market. Among the products being developed for the Indian market are meal complements for diabetics and pre-diabetics. In addition, the center will address local taste and texture preferences with new flavors and formulations.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. John Landgraf, Executive Vice President, Global Nutrition, Abbott, said, "Abbott's scientific heritage has driven the growth of our company, which has been in India for over 100 years. This new R&D center in Bangalore will play a pivotal role in getting us even closer to the Indian market and addressing the nutritional requirements of the Indian consumer."

"India is a priority market for investment, growth and innovation," said Mr. Robert H. Miller, Ph.D., Divisional Vice President, Global R&D and Scientific Affairs for Abbott Nutrition. "Our strategic collaboration with Syngene will accelerate the design, development and delivery of science-based, affordable nutrition products in India, for India." 

The nutrition market in India is relatively new and growing steadily. In addition to the undernutrition and diabetes issues facing India, a rapidly expanding middle class and aging population are driving increased demand in the country for high-quality, affordable nutrition products.

“It’s a landmark day for Abbott Nutrition and Syngene, as they shape their common vision of innovating towards a healthier India through affordable nutrition products," said Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman & Managing Director, Biocon Group. "The combined market insights and nutrition science expertise of our two organizations will enable us to address the healthcare and nutritional challenges of an emerging economy like India across a diverse range of diseases that straddle both infectious and chronic maladies," she added.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Peter Bains, Director, Syngene International Limited, said, "We are delighted that Syngene’s discovery scientists and development capabilities will be supporting Abbott Nutrition in this important strategic initiative in India.”

About Abbott
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs approximately 91,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott currently employs more than 12,000 people throughout India.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.abbott.com.

About Abbott Nutrition
For more than 85 years, Abbott Nutrition has been developing and marketing science‑based pediatric and adult nutritional products to support the growth, health and well-being of people of all ages. Abbott offers a variety of nutritional products in India including PediaSure® (complete, balanced nutrition for children), Similac®  (infant milk formula for infants and children), Mama's Best® (nutritional supplement for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers), Ensure® (adult nutritionals), Glucerna® (nutrition for people with diabetes) and Prosure® (nutrition for people with cancer).

About Biocon Limited
Biocon Limited (BSE code: 532523, NSE Id: BIOCON, ISIN Id: INE376G01013) is India's premier biopharma enterprise focused on innovation to deliver affordable health care solutions to patients, partners and health care systems across the globe. Established in 1978 by Ms. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Biocon is committed to reduce therapy costs of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer and autoimmune diseases to provide access to affordable treatment to patients globally. Biocon's key innovations include the world's first Pichia-based recombinant human Insulin, INSUGEN®, insulin analog Glargine, BASALOG® and India's first indigenously produced monoclonal antibody, BioMAb-EGFR®, for head & neck cancer. INSUPen® is a next-generation affordable insulin delivery device introduced in India. With a risk-balanced business model comprising small molecules, novel molecules, biosimilars, branded formulations and research services, Biocon has evolved into an emerging global enterprise serving its partners and customers in over 70 countries. archive.biocon.com

About Syngene International Limited
Syngene is India's leading contract research organization offering integrated drug discovery and development services with capabilities in medicinal chemistry, biology, in vivo pharmacology, toxicology, custom synthesis, process Research and Development, and formulation development for small and large molecules. Syngene has an expert team of over 1,500 scientists and 1 million sq. ft. of built-up laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to support the Research and Development programs of global pharma, biotech and nutrition companies. More information is available at www.syngeneintl.com.