Under the terms of the agreement, NeuClone will provide an exclusive proprietary mammalian CHO cell line which will express a specific recombinant protein of interest in Oncology to its partner. The agreement will also entail the Lupin Biological Research Program scientific research staff working with NeuClone Teams at their facility as a part of the overall technology transfer arrangements as specified within the agreement.

Commenting on the agreement Dr. Cyrus Karkaria, President, Lupin Limited and Head of the Lupin Biological Research Program said “The multi-billion dollar opportunity with blockbuster Biologics going off patent in the next 5-8 years is something that Lupin is pursuing aggressively. This exclusive licensing arrangement with NeuClone is a part of that strategy and would enable us to capitalise on cutting edge technology to address the Biologicals Market. This agreement and such similar agreements, coupled with our own pipeline will go a long way in helping us address the impending opportunity and develop a substantial differentiated biological pipeline.”

NeuClone CEO, Dr Noelle Sunstrom said “This is an exciting time for NeuClone and our stakeholders as our investment in mammalian CHO cell lines is commercialised.  In particular, we are enthusiastic about further developing the relationship with Lupin, an important global generic manufacturer.”

NeuClone were a recipient of an Early Stage Commercialisation Grant from the Australian Government initiative, Commercialisation Australia. The grant specifically sought to scale-up proprietary cell lines and explore international manufacturers with interest in biosimilar pharmaceutical technology.

Dr Sunstrom praised the Commercialisation Australia program, and in particular the independent advice and support during the negotiations process from NeuClone’s Commercialisation Australia Case Manager, Mr John Grew.  

"Innovative companies like NeuClone are the engine room of our long term prosperity.  It is critical that they be given the best possible opportunity to successfully commercialise their research into new products and services,” said Doron Ben-Meir, CEO of Commercialisation Australia.  “I congratulate NeuClone on their success”.

About NeuClone

NeuClone is an Australian biotech company specialising in cell line engineering for the biopharmaceutical and biomanufacturing industries. NeuClone has developed technology in recombinant protein production.  NeuClone’s expression platform is designed for safe, robust and stable expression of therapeutic proteins and to reduce COGS in bio-manufacturing.

For further information on NeuClone, please contact –

Dr Noelle Sunstrom, CEO, NeuClone Pty Ltd

Email : info@neuclone.com 

About Lupin

Headquartered in Mumbai, India, Lupin Limited is an innovation led transnational pharmaceutical company producing a wide range of quality, affordable generic and branded formulations and APIs. The Company today has significant presence in Cardiovasculars (prils and statins), Diabetology, Asthma, Pediatrics, CNS, GI, Anti-Infectives and NSAIDs in addition to holding global leadership positions in the Anti-TB and Cephalosporins space.  

For further information on Lupin, please contact -

Shamsher Gorawara, Head – Corporate Communications, Lupin Limited

Ph: +91 98 20 338 555

Email: shamshergorawara@lupinpharma.com

[Information from NeuClone's media release, 3 June 2011]