Orchid to help Swedish drug major in drug research

30 October 2006

Mumbai: Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceutical has signed an agreement with Sweden-based bio-pharma company, Biovitrum, to undertake medicinal chemistry work. Under the agreement, the company would undertake medicinal chemistry work relating to certain drug discovery activities of Biovitrum, Orchid said in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Orchid would initially provide medicinal chemistry services for certain drugs to Biovitrum for a six-month period and may extend this agreement into other therapeutic segments.

This is Orchid's second deal in drug research and development, following a pact with Pfizer International to provide long-term R&D services for animal health products.

Orchid is a globally recognised, integrated pharmaceutical company with core competencies in the development and manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished dosage forms as well as in drug discovery.

Orchid has been investing aggressively for establishing modern research and manufacturing facilities aimed at global markets, thus emerging as a world-class pharmaceutical company covering the entire value chain - from discovery to delivery

Biovitrum is an integrated bio-pharma company with operations in drug discovery research, development, manufacturing and product sales.

One of the largest biopharma companies in Europe, Biovitrum has operations in Sweden and in the UK. Biovitrum conducts research and develops pharmaceuticals for unmet medical needs both for common diseases and conditions that affect smaller patient populations.