Biocon Limited, India’s premier biotechnology company, today organized ‘WINNING COLOURS’, a painting competition for Juvenile Diabetics. The event was dedicated to raise awareness about the alarming rise of Juvenile Diabetes on the occasion of World Diabetes Day and Childrens Day. The painting competition was held at the ChitraKala Parishath and saw the enthusiastic participation of Juvenile Diabetics from all sections of society. The paintings were adjudged by Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon Limited and renowned artist Yusuf Arakkal. Prizes were awarded by Yusuf Arakkal and Waheeda Rehman.

Biocon used the fun platform to create a conducive learning environment for Juvenile Diabetics- providing tips on dealing with Diabetes, eating healthy and being active. The event focused around the fact that having diabetes is no deterrent and that the ‘right diet, right exercise and right medication is the perfect recipe for ‘Winning With Diabetes’. The event included counseling sessions for parents of Juvenile Diabetics providing information to children and their parents on patient care and treatment, nutrition facts, the importance of a robust family support system and educating them on the myths surrounding Juvenile Diabetes.

The event highlight was a canvas painting by Yusuf Arakkal and the winners of the painting competition. In addition, a cheque was presented to Jnana Sanjeevani, a Bangalore based NGO working for the cause of Juvenile Diabetes. Every child was a winner at the ‘WINNING COLOURS’ competition and twelve of the best paintings were short-listed to be used in a Biocon sponsored calendar for year 2006.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD Biocon Limited said, “About 206,000 young people under 20 years of age have diabetes and the launch of INSUGEN™ - the new generation bio-insulin was our first major step towards diabetes care. Last year we launched ‘Winning with Diabetes’– a unique brand endeavour to help diabetics win with diabetes. Our first event was with Wasim Akram, a triumphant cricketer despite being diagnosed with diabetes in the peak of his career. This year, we thought to ourselves, let children be children, allow them to have creative fun and at the same time inspire them to win with Diabetes.”

Insugen.com – a dedicated portal for diabetes management and care was launched at the event for the benefit of patient and doctor groups.

About INSUGEN™

INSUGEN™, Biocon’s new generation bio-insulin is the world’s first recombinant human (r-DNA) insulin using a unique Pichia Expression - a yeast expression system that secretes pro-insulin in an extra-cellular manner and thereby enables an elegant purification process for Insulin. Biocon is also the first Indian Insulin producer to submit a DMF (Drug Master File) to the USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration). Manufactured in one of Asia’s largest Human Insulin Plants, INSUGEN™ is notably India’s most clinically validated r-DNA insulin. Biocon has a tie-up with Nobex Corporation, USA to explore and develop oral insulin for diabetes treatment and a global supply agreement for human insulin with Bristol Myers-Squibb.

About Biocon

Established in 1978, Biocon Limited is one of India’s premier biotechnology companies. The company has a robust product portfolio of recombinant biotherapeutics, statins andimmuno-suppresants with strongly growing sales and profits. We employ more than 600 highly qualified scientists at our campus in Bangalore. Biocon and its two subsidiary companies, Syngene International Pvt Ltd and Clinigene International Pvt. Ltd form a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company, specializing in custom research, clinical research, biopharmaceuticals and enzymes. With successful initiatives in clinical development, bioprocessing and global marketing, Biocon delivers products and solutions to partners and customers across 50 countries. Many of these products have USFDA and EMEA acceptance. For more information: visit us at www.biocon.com

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