Abbott, Biocon arm to develop nutrition products BS Reporter / Bangalore May 04, 2012, 00:39 IST

US drug maker Abbott Laboratories on Thursday announced plans to establish its first nutrition research and development centre in the country in collaboration with Syngene, a contract research subsidiary of Biocon.

The Abbott Nutrition R&D Centre in India will focus on the development of nutrition products and enable the expansion of Abbotts nutrition product portfolio.

The centre will focus on the development of nutrition products for maternal and child nutrition and diabetes care. Preventing undernutrition has emerged as a critical health challenge in India.

An estimated 50 per cent of Indians (570 million people) have adequate calorie intake, but are not consuming a sufficient level of essential nutrients. India also has the worlds largest diabetes population (51 million people). Among the products being developed for India are meal complements for diabetics and pre-diabetics. In addition, the centre will address local taste and texture preferences with new flavours and formulations.

India is a priority market for investment, growth and innovation, said Robert H Miller, divisional vice-president, global R&D and scientific affairs for Abbott Nutrition. Our strategic collaboration with Syngene will accelerate the design, development and delivery of science-based, nutrition products in India, for India.

Health care in India has reached a tipping point, as patients seek quality care and products at affordable prices, said Rehan Khan, managing director, Abbott Nutrition India. We have consistently invested in India, and this centre will allow us to leverage local expertise and insights to develop the products we need to successfully expand our portfolio here.

The nutrition market in India is relatively new and growing steadily. In addition to the undernutrition and diabetes issues facing India, a rapidly expanding middle class and aging population are driving demand for high-quality, affordable nutrition products.

With malnutrition and common chronic diseases at their highest in this region, Abbott and Syngene have a common vision and commitment to support the development of a healthier India, said Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, founder, chairman and managing director, Biocon Group.

The combined market insights and nutrition science expertise of our two organisations will enable us to address these immediate needs by developing critically important, innovative yet affordable nutrition products for the Indian population, she added.

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Abbott, Biocon arm to develop nutrition products