Merck ties up with Tata firm (India)

[OhioChick]

< 17 Nov, 2006 0104hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK >

MUMBAI: Advinus Therapeutics, a Tata group promoted drug research firm and US-based pharma major Merck & Co on Thursday announced that they have formed a drug discovery and clinical development collaboration in the area of metabolic disorders.

In a statement, both companies said that it will work together to develop clinically validated drug candidates for metabolic disorders, with Merck retaining the right to advance the most promising of these candidates into late-stage clinical trials. The deal is Merck's first research-based collaboration in India.

Advinus will receive $150 million, including up-front and potential milestone payments, for two target programmes. The deal could be extended to add more programmes. Advinus would be eligible for royalties on sales of any products that result from the collaboration.

"This agreement reflects India's emerging role in bringing innovative and life-saving drugs to market with speed and cost-effectiveness," Advinus Therapeutics CEO Rashmi Barbhaiya said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India_Business/Merck_ties_up_with_Tata_firm/articleshow/461265.cms

[Anakin Skywalker]

1. Tata as in "Bye Bye"?

[thingfisher]

2. Gee,

will the low cost of wages, etc. transfer into cheaper drugs for suffering humanity due to lower R and D costs?

[xchrom]

3. Tatas!?!?!

oh. my.

is this for breastfeeding women on planes who might run afoul of homeland security when canoodling with boyfriends simutaneously?

[madrchsod]

4. the tata group

http://www.tata.com/
Tata Group

this is what other asian countries are up against....