KTR inaugurates Insud Pharma’s centre in Hyderabad to help Spinal Muscular Atrophy patients

HYDERABAD: Minister for IT and Industries K Taraka Rama Rao (KTR) on Thursday inaugurated the state-of-the-art Oligonucleotides Centre at Chemo India Formulation Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Insud Pharma, a leading Spanish multinational pharmaceutical company.

This research and production centre would focus on oligonucleotide research and commercial production. It also ranked among the top five globally, with a focus on the US, EU, and numerous global markets. This facility was inspected and approved by the US FDA, Spanish Health Agency, Drug Control General of India, and various international customers.

The company said that oligonucleotide-based drugs represent the latest in medical technology. These drugs employ small nucleic acid molecules to interact with DNA or RNA, regulating gene expression and treating conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases. This new plant will be capable of producing a novel antisense Oligonucleotide for the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The products developed and manufactured at this center will be exported to various global markets.

KTR said “I had the pleasure of meeting the leadership of Chemo and Insud during the World Economic Forum in Davos 2022, wherein we announced their plans to expand Hyderabad. Among other things, this oligonucleotides facility was also discussed, and I am delighted that in a short period, the center is fully functional in Hyderabad.”

"Chemo India’s mission is simple – to improve global health for everyone through innovative, affordable medicines. We have made and continue to make significant investments in this facility to increase capacities and bring new scientific initiatives," said Lucas Sigman, Chief Executive Officer of Insud Pharma.

The facility is located in Genome Valley, the premier Life Sciences hub in Asia and home to more than 200 companies, with a scientific workforce of about 25,000 professionals, including marquee global names like Novartis, Ferring Pharma, Chemo, DuPont, Ashland, United States Pharmacopeia, Lonza, among many others.

Chemo India Formulation Private Limited entered Genome Valley with its first facility in 2015 and has seen exponential growth in recent years. Currently, the company employs about 230 high-quality scientists engaged in cutting-edge R&D for the world and production personnel.

The teams engage in oral solids and injectables R&D, along with commercial production for solids and global stability in this facility. In addition to these capabilities, the company is now opening a state-of-the-art oligonucleotide facility. Oligonucleotides production requires automated reactors, with preparative HPLC for purification in controlled conditions. Products developed and manufactured here are being exported to diverse markets, including the USA, European Union, South America, and other global markets.

Dr Kumar Kurumaddali, Managing Director of Chemo India Formulation Pvt. Ltd, Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Narasimha Reddy, VC&MD, TSIIC, Shakthi M Nagappan, Chief Executive Officer, Telangana Life Sciences, Andrea Benigni, Insud Pharma API Director and Alejandro Delgado were also present.