Wockhardt’s Biotechnology Research Centre was established in 1985, and since then the company has been focusing on the development of biological products. Wockhardt was the first company to receive DSIR award for indigenous development of Bio pesticide in the year 1995, and several awards came its way during development of different recombinant bio therapeutics.
Biotechnology products have been identified, as the future in the treatment of diseases and Wockhardt has been an early entrant in this field. The mandate for the team at the Biotechnology Research Division is to develop biosimilars (biopharmaceuticals) from concept to product. Multidisciplinary, experienced team (150+ scientists) engaged in the development of biosimilars, is comprised of biotechnologists, biochemical engineers, microbiologists, molecular biologists, cell biologists, biochemists, protein chemists, biophysicists, pharmacologists and biopharmaceutics. The team has proven expertise in developing products using yeast, E. coli and mammalian cell culture expression platforms. The efforts of Wockhardt in Biotechnology space have been well recognized.
We also have a robust pipeline of recombinant therapeutic proteins for major healthcare needs.
Device and Packaging Development:
Skilled group of scientists develop insulin delivery devices (patented), primary and secondary packaging for different biopharmaceuticals – liquids: vials, cartridges, disposable and reusable pens, prefilled syringes; lyophilized powder, etc.Clinical Pharmacokinetic and Biopharmaceuticals Unit (CPB):
Skilled group of scientists carry out bioequivalence studies for pharmaceuticals and PK/PD studies for biologics in healthy volunteers and patients. CPB unit is built in 28,000 Sq. ft. area and equipped with all sophisticated instruments with 21 CFR part 11 compliance standards. CPB unit is certified by USFDA, MHRA-UK and ANVISA-Brazil.Pipeline/Projects
Rapid-acting Insulin Analogues
Insulin Aspart, Insulin LisproInsulin Aspart and Insulin Lispro are rapid-acting insulins that are used to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. These human insulin analogues start to work about 15 minutes after injection. These products are at different stages of development. Insulin Aspart is in clinical phase and Insulin Lispro is at process scale-up stage.
Long-acting Insulin Analogues
Insulin Glargine Insulin Glargine 100 IU/mL is long-acting insulin that is used to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Insulin Glargine Injection is commercialised in 30+ countries across the globe and additional developmental studies are ongoing for US and EU approval. Insulin Degludec Insulin Degludec is a long-acting insulin that works by binding to albumin in the bloodstream. This prevents the insulin from being cleared from the body too quickly, resulting in a slow, steady release of insulin over a 24-hour period. Insulin Degludec is under process development stage.Concentrated Insulins
Human Insulin Injection 500 IU/mL Human Insulin 500 IU/mL is a concentrated form of insulin human, which is used to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. It offers the benefits of less injection volume, less application force, less pain and more effective for people who require high doses of insulin. Insulin Human 500 IU/mL is under process development stage. Insulin Glargine Injection 300 IU/mL Insulin glargine 300 IU/mL is a concentrated form of insulin glargine, a long-acting insulin that is used to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes. It offers the benefits of less injection volume, less application force, less pain and a lower risk of hypoglycaemia. Insulin glargine 300 IU/mL is under process development stage.GLP1 Analogues
Liraglutide Injection
Liraglutide is used to treat type 2 diabetes and it is also used to help people lose weight. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and GLP-1 helps to regulate blood sugar levels by increasing insulin secretion and decreasing glucagon secretion. Liraglutide is under process development stage.
Dulaglutide Injection
Dulaglutide is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is also used to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes who also have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and usually given once a week. Dulaglutide is under process development stage.
Semaglutide Injection
Semaglutide is used to treat type 2 diabetes and it is also used to help people lose weight. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and usually given once a week. Semaglutide is under process development stage.
Haemopoietins
Darbepoietin Injection
Darbepoetin alfa is used to treat anaemia and it is a type of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA). Darbepoietin alfa is a long-acting ESA, which means that it works for a longer period of time than other ESAs. Preclinical studies of Darbepoetin alfa have been completed and clinical studies will be initiated in FY25.
Biobetters and Novel products
WCK9406: Combinational product of Insulin Aspart and Insulin Glargine Injection
WCK9406 is combination of Insulin Aspart and Insulin Glargine injection, a pre-mixed combination of rapid acting regular and long acting insulins. The fixed ratio combination is aimed at providing meal related (bolus) and post meal (basal) insulin needs of the patients, for maintaining constant blood glucose concentrations with a single injection. WCK9406 is at process scale-up stage.
Delivery devices:
WCK9406: Combinational product of Insulin Aspart and Insulin Glargine Injection
Second-generation insulin delivery devices (Re-usable and Disposable pens) have already been commercialized.
Third generation insulin delivery devices (Re-usable and Disposable pens) with additional features are under development and design verification is in progress.
