BWI: Biocon Announces Project Commencement for first high-end Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing and R&D Facility in Bio-XCell, Malaysia

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Biocon Limited
Saturday, September 10, 2011 08:00 PM IST (02:30 PM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Healthcare, biotechnology & pharmaceutical; Healthcare
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Biocon Announces Project Commencement for first high-end Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing and R&D Facility in Bio-XCell, Malaysia


Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, September 10, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- Biocon, Asia's premier biotechnology company, today held a project commencement ceremony for its biopharmaceutical manufacturing and research and development facility in Bio-XCell, a custom-built biotechnology park and ecosystem in Iskandar Malaysia, Johor. The Chief Minister of Johor, Y.A.B. Dato' Haji Abdul Ghani bin Othman unveiled the plaque commemorating the project's initiation. In the first phase, Biocon proposes to invest around RM500 million (approximately $161 million) in this facility, which is targeted to be operational by 2014. The investment is the largest for the Malaysian healthcare biotechnology sector thus far.

"The world-class infrastructure, fiscal and financial incentives, and the initiatives of the State Government of Johor to promote bio-manufacturing, make Johor a compelling destination for establishing our global scale manufacturing facility for Biopharmaceuticals. This facility will cater to the global requirements for Biocon's range of Biosimilar insulin and insulin analogs for diabetes treatment, being commercialized by Pfizer Inc.," said Biocon Chairman and MD Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.

The project will also focus on research and development and production of other biopharmaceutical products at a later phase. The plant will be built in compliance with US FDA cGMP standards.

Biocon signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation SdnBhd (BiotechCorp) to establish the facility in Bio-XCell Malaysia on January 22, 2010. The decision to invest in this initiative was driven by Malaysia's strategic location, the country's growing role as a rapidly developing global biotech hub, and the enabling Bio-XCell Ecosystem which offers comprehensive support through high end infrastructure, human resource and related services.

"Bio-XCell completes the infrastructure that we have built for the biotechnology industry. The soft infrastructure through the BioNexus programme is an attractive proposition for both local and foreign companies. Bio-XCell, with its focus on manufacturing and R&D, provides the hard infrastructure - conducive space and services specifically for biopharma, healthcare and industrial biotechnology players."

"Biocon's entry into Bio-XCell will further stimulate growth for the sector, providing commercial opportunities for Malaysian biotechnology's small and medium enterprises and promote a more vigorous domestic direct investment," commented Dato' Dr Mohd Nazlee Kamal, Chairman of Bio-XCell and CEO of BiotechCorp.

About Biocon Limited

Established in 1978, Biocon Limited (BSE code: 532523, NSE Id: BIOCON, ISIN Id: INE376G01013) is India's largest biotechnology company by revenue. The Group, promoted by Ms. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, is a fully-integrated, innovation-driven healthcare enterprise with a strategic focus on biopharmaceuticals and research services. Biocon's value chain traverses the entire length of discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics. With successful initiatives in clinical development, bio-processing and global marketing, Biocon delivers products and solutions to partners and customers in approximately 75 countries across the globe. Many of these products have USFDA and EMEA acceptance. Biocon's robust product offering includes the world's first recombinant human insulin, INSUGEN(R) and India's first indigenously produced monoclonal antibody BIOMAb-EGFR(TM). For more information, visit www.biocon.com

About Bio-XCell

Bio-XCell is a biotechnology ecosystem for industrial and healthcare biotechnology, with a focus on manufacturing and R&D. Developed by Malaysian Bio-XCell Sdn Bhd, a joint venture company between BiotechCorp and UEM Land, the park is slated to be the new regional biotech hub of Asia. Capitalizing on value propositions of both its shareholders, Bio-XCell provides comprehensive infrastructure, services, incentives and benefits to drive growth for the biotechnology sector.

Strategically located in Nusajaya, Iskandar Malaysia, the resource-rich state of Johor, Bio-XCell provides global connectivity through a network of five seaports and two international airports, all within 59 km. For information or leasing inquiries, log on to www.bio-xcell.com.

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CONTACT DETAILS
Varija Belliappa, Biocon Limited, +91 (80) 2808 2223, varija.belliappa@biocon.com
Anita Daud Charles , Head, Corporate Communications, Bio-XCell, +603 2116 8508, anita.daud@bio-xcell.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, HEALTHCARE

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