Cipla To Partner With Kemwell Biopharma, Manipal Med Group To Form JV

Cipla Ltd, a prominent pharmaceutical company, has formed a joint venture in the United States with Kemwell Biopharma and Manipal Education & Medical Group to develop and commercialise innovative cell therapy products.

The strategic collaboration is between Cipla (EU) Ltd, UK, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cipla, Cipla Ltd, and MNI Ventures, Mauritius, a subsidiary of Manipal Education & Medical Group, according to company.  

"The primary goal of this joint venture is to develop and commercialise novel cell therapy products for major unmet medical needs in the US, Japan, and EU regions," it added.

Cipla (EU) Ltd will acquire a 35.2% share in the joint venture company, it said. The alliance will use Cipla's strength in product research and commercialization, Kemwell's expertise in biologics, and Manipal's competence in healthcare delivery, as per business outlook.

"This strategic collaboration is aimed at expediting development, manufacturing, licensing, import and export of cutting-edge cell therapy products to cater to patients globally," the statement said.

"This joint venture reinforces our concerted efforts to move up the innovation curve and pioneer transformative treatments in the areas of stem cell and CAR T-cell therapies, enabled by advances in biotech, mRNA and cell-engineering research, that can make a difference to patient lives globally," Cipla Managing Director & Global Chief Executive Officer Umang Vohra said.

"As we steer Cipla into the future and lead with purpose, our partnership with Kemwell and Manipal Group will be integral in realising these advancements," he said.

Ranjan Pai, Chairman of the Manipal Education & Medical Group, stated that the collaboration will assist introduce the next generation of biological treatments to meet unmet medical needs around the world.

"Physicians will have accessible, safe, and clinically effective cell therapies in their hand to fight against many serious indications," he added.