Aurobindo arm CuraTeQ Biologics inks LoI with MSD for contract manufacturing

Hyderabad: Aurobindo Pharma on Thursday informed the bourses that its wholly owned subsidiary, CuraTeQ Biologics Pvt Ltd, along with its subsidiaries is in discussions with Merck Sharpe & Dohme Singapore Trading Pte Ltd and its affiliates for contract manufacturing operations.

Aurobindo said these companies have inked a limited letter of intent. “The parties under the said LOI intend to conclude the negotiations by March 31, 2024,” Aurobindo said in a regulatory filing.

According to the Hyderabad-based company its arm CuraTeQ will cater to the US-based biopharmaceutical major MSD through its contract manufacturing arm TheraNym Biologics Pvt Ltd.

It said that in the interest of time and project needs, CuraTeQ will be placing orders for certain long-lead equipment and also begin civil works for the manufacturing facility for the CMO operations.

“The manufacturing facility will house large-scale bioreactors for mammalian cell culture drug substance manufacturing and will include a vial filling isolator line for commercial drug product manufacturing,” Aurobindo said.