Biocon Partners With Quark To Erradicate Rare Eye Disease

BIOCON, India’s largest and fully integrated, innovation led Biopharmaceutical Company and QUARK pharmaceutical company – a leader in the discovery and development of novel RNA-i based therapeutics announced today the randomization of the first patient in India in the pivotal global phase II/III study of QPI-1007, a novel siRNA (small interfering RNA) drug candidate for ocular neuroprotection.

The Drug Controller General of India permitted BIOCON and QUARK pharmaceutical to continue with their study, India’s first ever clinical trial of siRNA therapy.

The QRK207 is determined to see the effect of QPI-1007 on the functions of visuality with keen non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) which is a kind of rare ocular disorder. This being a part of a global phase II/III study is initiated by Quark and "Neuro-Ophthalmology Research Disease Investigator Consortium" (NORDIC) and it has already enrolled the U.S and other countries too.

Biocon Chairperson & Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw stated that Biocon is committed to develop innovative therapies that address the unmet medical needs and the initiation of the Phase II/III study investigating QPI-1007 in NAION in India is an important step towards their goal. She further added that BIOCON is the first biopharma company in the country to provide a siRNA-based therapy that will benefit thousands of patients who do not have access to treatment or cannot afford it.

Dr. Zurr CEO, Founder and Chairman of Quark Pharmaceuticals is extremely satisfied to have partnered with Biocon, a company which is doing its best to lead the siRNA based drug class development in India. Biocon and Quark Pharmaceuticals have joined hands and entered into this licensing and collaboration agreement in 2013 to commercialize and manufacture QPI-1007 in India and other important markets.

Talking about RNAi it is a universal mechanism taking place inside living cells that allows non-coding RNA to control the active genes and how much active are they. The natural mechanism was discovered in the year 1998 and was awarded the Nobel Prize in the year 2006 and QPI-1007 is a double stranded RNA molecule chemically modified by Quark's proprietary technology. Yesterday, Biocon Share Price closed at Rs 719.30, up by 0.56 per cent on National Stock Exchange of India.

A writer by day and a passionate reader by night. Writing just doesnot fill my pocket but it also fills my heart. With over 4 years experience in Stock Market, I am a full time content writer with www.dynamiclevels.com