Company Watch

Biocon ties up with Safety Syringes

Our News Bureau - Mumbai

Biocon has launched a safety device in the form of pre-filled syringes for two of its life saving products, GCSF (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) and EPO (Erythropoietin), in collaboration with Safety Syringes for the first time in India. Erypro Safe and Nufil Safe will be the first two drugs that will marketed using this novel device with other injectable products to follow in the future. The device is tamper proof and ensures that the syringe is non-reusable thus ensuring safety of the highest order. Biocon will also launch two of its life saving drugs using this novel device viz. Erypro Safe and Nufil Safe.

Speaking on the occasion, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon said, "We are pleased to introduce Erypro Safe and Nufil Safe as pre-filled syringes with advanced safety features. Safety Syringes of USA has developed a novel pre-filled device that enhances safety and is convenient to use. We are delighted to be able to collaborate with them and introduce this proprietary device to the Indian market for the first time which will greatly benefit Indian patients."

Taking the development further, Rakesh Bamzai, President, Marketing, Biocon said, "The launch of this new drug delivery system is significant as it allows for product differentiation in the market. This also means simplified drug administration and better patient compliance. With this launch, Biocon has placed great emphasis on the safety of patients and the medical fraternity involved in the administration of Erypro Safe and Nufil Safe."On the same lines Mark Hassett, Executive Vice President, Safety Syringes commented, "We are very pleased to add Biocon as our newest valued pharma partner. The introduction of the Erypro Safe and Nufil Safe, the UltraSafe Passive Delivery System - represents a significant advantage for Biocon over other drug delivery devices for prefilled syringe presentations."

Biocon will also look at launching this product in other markets in the coming months. The pharma industry has registered an increasing demand in the market segment of pre-filled syringe systems over the past ten years. These systems have the endorsement of healthcare professionals worldwide. There is a growing trend of injectable drugs moving into the pre-fill syringe as a presentation format. Worldwide, prefilled syringe volumes have reached more than two billion units. The opportunity for Indian biotech companies in pre-filled syringes is immense as India is being viewed as a low-cost, high-quality manufacturing base. It has the largest number of US FDA approved plants outside the US.