Alvogen has established its own clinical research organization (CRO) in Bangalore, India and a new API sourcing office is being opened. “We see great opportunities to provide international clinical services in India, and with the highly skilled local talent, Bangalore is a logical location for our new CRO” commented Doug Drysdale, CEO of Alvogen. “With an experienced, enthusiastic team and our investment we now have the capacity to offer a wide range of high quality services., including Phase I-IV, bio-analytical studies and pharmacovigilance monitoring.”
The CRO will be managed by Alvogen’s subsidiary, Norwich Pharmaceuticals, under the name Norwich Clinical Services. Alvogen expects to recruit up to 100 professionals in India within the next 12 months.
“We are very fortunate to have on board a highly experienced management team from Lotus Labs in India, who have now joined the Alvogen global leadership team,” explains Drysdale. Dr. Saral Thangam will be the Managing Director of the CRO. Sudhir Pai and Fjalar Kristjansson have also joined to support Alvogen’s expansion in India.
Alvogen’s global portfolio has already exceeded 220 products, one third of which will be marketed in the U.S. market. By end of 2010, Alvogen expects to have filed over 50 ANDAs for the U.S. market and over 200 marketing authorizations for Europe, with many of these products supported by studies in India.
Alvogen has long-standing relationships in India and has established multiple strategic alliances with leading local development and manufacturing companies, supporting both the company’s pipeline development and product supply. India will continue to be a strategic source of APIs, products, technologies and talent to help drive Alvogen’s global expansion.