> ABOUT US
  Overview
  Businesses
  Key Facts
  Mission
  People
  Quality
  History
  Awards
  Strategic Alliances
  
  Home
  
     
  History

November 29, 1978

Biocon’s Founding Day - the start of a biorevolution in India. Over the years, Biocon has evolved from an enzyme-manufacturing company into a fully integrated biopharmaceutical enterprise. Today, we leverage a formidable combination of proprietary fermentation technologies and research skills to develop affordable therapy for unmet medical needs.

1978

Biocon India is incorporated as a joint venture between Biocon Biochemicals Ltd. of Ireland and an Indian entrepreneur, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

1979

Biocon is the first Indian company to manufacture and export enzymes to USA and Europe

1989

Unilever plc. acquires Biocon Biochemicals Ltd. in Ireland and merges it with its subsidiary, Quest International

1989

Biocon is the first Indian biotech company to receive US funding for proprietary technologies

1990

Biocon scales up its in-house research programme, based on a proprietary solid substrate fermentation technology, from pilot to plant level

1993

Biocon's R&D and manufacturing facilities receive ISO 9001 certification from RWTUV, Germany

1994

Biocon establishes Syngene International Pvt. Ltd. as a Custom research Company (CRC) to address the growing need for outsourced R&D in the pharmaceutical sector

1996

The commercial success of Biocon's proprietary fermentation plant leads to a 3-fold expansion

1996

Biocon leverages its technology platform to enter biopharmaceuticals and statins

1997

Biocon spearheads initiatives in human healthcare through a dedicated manufacturing facility

1998

Unilever inks a deal with ICI to sell its specialty chemicals division of which Quest International is a part. Unilever agrees to sell its shareholding in Biocon to the Indian promoters. Biocon becomes an independent entity

2000

Biocon commissions its first fully automated submerged fermentation plant to produce specialty pharmaceuticals

2000

Biocon establishes Clinigene, India's first Clinical Research Organisation (CRO) to pursue clinical research and development

2001

Biocon becomes the first Indian company to be approved by US FDA for the manufacture of lovastatin, a cholesterol-lowering molecule

2001

Biocon's proprietary bioreactor, PlaFractor™ is granted a US 2001 and world-wide patent

2002

Clinigene's clinical laboratory is the first in India to receive CAP accreditation

2003

Biocon is the first company worldwide to develop human insulin on a Pichia expression system

2004

Biocon creates a buzz in the stock market in March 2004 with its hugely successful IPO. Day 1 on the bourses closes with a market value of $1.11 billion, making Biocon only the second Indian company to cross the $1 billion mark on the first day of listing.


2004

Syngene establishes new research centre

2004

Biocon Limited, announces the launch of INSUGEN®, the new generation bio-insulin, manufactured in Asia's largest human insulin plant.

2004

Biocon Limited and Vaccinex, Inc. announce a broad strategic partnership to discover and co-develop at least four therapeutic antibody products.

2005

Biocon signs a commercial agreement for supply of insulin API to Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

2006

Biocon inaugurates Biocon Biopharmaceuticals, India's largest multi-product Biologics facility at Biocon Park

Biocon inaugurates Biocon Park, India's largest integrated biotechnology hub, comprising an integrated cluster of research laboratories and manufacturing facilities spread across 90 acres in KIADB (Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board) industrial estate.

Biocon announces a licensing agreement with Bayer HealthCare (BHC) for the exclusive marketing and trademark rights for INSUGEN® for the Chinese market.

Syngene and Innate Pharmaceuticals AB, Umea, Sweden conclude a cooperation agreement to jointly develop, manufacture and market virulence blockers to counteract bacterial diarrhoeal disease.

Biocon launches India's first anti-cancer drug BIOMAb EGFR™.


2007

Biocon and Abu Dhabi based pharmaceutical company Neopharma sign an MOU to establish a JV to manufacture and market a range of biopharmaceuticals for the GCC countries (Gulf Cooperation Council).

Biocon grants exclusive license to Ferozsons Laboratories Limited for marketing BIOMAb EGFR™ in Pakistan.

Biocon announces the launch of its Nephrology Division and a comprehensive portfolio of renal therapy products.

Syngene enters into a research partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb and completes the ground breaking ceremony of new research facility at Biocon Park.

Biocon signs Memorandum of Understanding with Deakin University, Australia. To establish Deakin Research Institute in Bangalore

Biocon divests enzymes division for USD 115 million to Novozymes. Biocon business portfolio to focus on biopharmaceuticals

Biocon and Abraxis BioScience, announce an agreement wherein Abraxis will license the right to develop a biosimilar version of G-CSF (Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor) in North America and the European Union.

Biocon and Neopharma sign an MOU to establish Neobiocon, a joint venture company in Dubai's biotechnology and research park, Dubiotech.

Biocon and Abraxis BioScience,Inc announce a licensing agreement for the commercialization of ABRAXANE® (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound) in India. Under the terms of the agreement, Biocon will also have the right to market ABRAXANE in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and certain other Persian Gulf countries.

Biocon presents the results of Phase 1 studies on its oral insulin product, IN-105 at the European Association for Study of Diabetes (EASD) meeting held at Amsterdam. Phase 1 studies were conducted on healthy volunteers who have been administered IN-105 in the form of a tablet. The human clinical data on IN-105 was presented at the session on Novel therapies. Based on these promising results, Biocon intends to now develop this molecule through further clinical trials.

Biocon and Abraxis BioScience, Inc. announce the approval to market ABRAXANE® for Injectable Suspension (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound) in India for the treatment of breast cancer by the country's Drug Controller General. Commercial introduction of ABRAXANE in the Indian market is expected in 2008 following the completion of the appropriate importation certifications.

Since its establishment, Biocon Foundation opened four Arogya Raksha Yojana primary healthcare clinics. Biocon Foundation established a cancer hospital along with Dr. Devi Shetty of Narayana Hrudayalaya

2008

Biocon acquires a 70% stake in German pharmaceutical company, AxiCorp GmbH for a consideration of €30 Million
 
     
  Related links:
    Press Releases
    Discovery Pipeline
    Product Glossary
    Stock Info
 
Home  |  Contact Us  |  Site Map

INSUGEN® | Arogya Raksha Yojana | Biocon Foundation | ABLE | Karnataka Vision Group on Biotechnology | Karolinska Institute
 
© 2007, Biocon. All Rights Reserved   
  *Disclaimer | Authorised Users