Nicholas Likely to Drop Chikungunya Research (India)
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Nicholas Piramal India (NPIL) is expected to withdraw its proposal for a joint venture drug discovery research program with Laboratories Pierre Fabre of France due to the slow regulatory process. The research program was slated to develop the world's first vaccine for chikungunya, which has evolved into an epidemic after spreading throughout southern India and Maharashtra over the last two years. But the Central Drug Control Authority has yet to authorize the project. "We will have to drop the drug research plans for chikungunya, since the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) is yet to sanction the project," said NPLI Director of Strategic Alliances Swati Piramal. In light of the delays, Piramal explained that there was little else the company could do. "It is almost six months since we applied." The new drugs require the DGCI's approval before they can enter the Indian market. (Click here for more