Cipla acquires mAb manufacturer Mabpharm

Indian biopharma Cipla is pushing further into the realm of monoclonal antibody manufacturing with its purchase of India-based Mabpharm.

Cipla’s subsidiary Meditab Specialties previously owned a 25% stake in the company, and on Thursday decided to purchase the remaining 75% of the company, according to a stock exchange announcement. The company refused to offer any financial details on the deal or more information on its details.

Mabpharm in 2011 set up a biosimilar manufacturing facility in Goa, India, which the company claims can take a product from initial development through cell banking, cell culture, purification and formulation.

The deal follows word from earlier this month in which Cipla announced its intention to invest £100m ($171m) in UK R&D, which will focus on respiratory, oncology and antiretroviral treatments.