Bengaluru, India: May 16, 2012

Biocon, Asia's Premier Biotechnology Company hosted a one-day symposium on "Integrative Research in Oncology" to commemorate the visit of a world renowned cancer researcher,  Prof Tyler Jacks who heads The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA.  The conference was attended by researchers, medical doctors and delegates from the field of oncology.

The conference highlighted the importance of new models for cancer research combining basic biology and engineering in an integrated manner to find new solutions for the disease.

Welcoming the delegates, Ms. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon Group said that “Oncology is an important area of research for us as cancer continues to pose a very serious threat and challenge to mankind. Today there are new advances in cancer immunology, cancer metabolism and cancer genomics that are providing new answers to cancer care.  In addition, advanced diagnostics and enhanced drug delivery systems are providing superior outcomes. Biocon as a company is dedicated to fostering cancer research and is attempting multiple ways to develop advanced and affordable solutions for  cancer patients the world over”. 

The plenary session started with a keynote address by Prof. Tyler Jacks on 'Designing the future of cancer research in MIT'.  Prof Jacks focused on new initiatives in cancer research that combined expertise in science and engineering.  He commented "We are embracing several dimensions to address the challenges of the dreaded disease which is affecting nearly 8 million people across the world. Today more deaths are caused by cancer than by tuberculosis, malaria and HIV. In India, we are looking at developing close collaborative relationships with companies like Biocon which already has a significant oncology research pipeline"  

He also added "We are indeed grateful to Kiran for endowing  a post-doctoral fellowship program that will see 2 Mazumdar-Shaw Onco fellows added each year whose mandate is to link Koch Institute and other Indian Cancer Research Institutes in the area of cancer research.

This was followed by an insightful presentation by Prof. Vikas Sukhatme, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.  on ‘Yesterday’s Medicines, Tomorrow’s Cures Available Today’  Prof Sukhatme stated “therapies for India should be developed in India because our needs  are different. He illustrated multiple examples covering cancer metabolism and cancer immunology where existing low cost medications like beta blockers and metformin could significantly improve the outcome when combined with existing cancer therapies. Whilst these combinations are not commercially pursued in the US due to lack of patentability, however in a country like India we should systematically evaluate these options as these could have a huge impact in providing affordable cancer care to patients."

This was followed by panel discussions involving oncology experts who shared their experiences and gave insights into the Translational Research with marketed Products and Personalized Cancer treatments.

This marks the beginning of a series of Biocon Scientific Symposia at its newly inaugurated Biocon Research Center (BRC) at Biocon Park in Bangalore. The center aimed at pursuing world class research on biologics will address a diverse range of research programs in diabetes, cancer and auto-immune diseases.  As a Biotechnology Research Centre with multi-disciplinary capabilities in Molecular Biology, Biologics Process Sciences, Formulation Research and Preclinical and Clinical Development, BRC is a First-of-its Kind facility in South-East Asia. The Centre is also equipped with cutting edge instrumentation for extensive molecular and functional characterization of Biologics.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Abhijit Barve, President R&D at Biocon thanked the participants for their contributions to the discussions. He affirmed Biocon’s commitment to continue to support cancer research and work to make a difference to the lives of cancer patients around the world.

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 healthcare solutions to patients, partners and healthcare 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 across the global. Biocon’s  key innovations include 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. FY2012 revenues of Biocon stood at US$ 445mn
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