Lupin group technical advisor BN Roy told The Financial Express that the collaborative project would essentially focus on "design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new anti-tubercular compounds". Roy, in his earlier stint, was responsible for setting up ICI corporate research centre at Thane near Mumbai.

In broad terms, the latest alliance will see Lupin handle the "screening part", while major part of the computer studies involved will be routed via IICT and NCL. IIS has already identified two enzymes that take part in the transcription process of DNA replication.

A new drug emerging from the collaboration will be the "joint property" of the partners, though the patents will be assigned to Lupin. The other partners will receive royalty partners under the alliance. Roy said that the "three to four year programme" will also see simultaneous screening of the compounds in other non-TB strains.

Lupin's move is significant given that anti-TB medicines are more-or-less orphan drugs in the West and R&D spends in this area are well below those in other disease areas. The Mumbai-based Lupin is the world's largest manufacturer of anti-TB bulks and formulations.

Roy added that Lupin and the CSIR are also working together in the area of phytochemistry. Indications are that two compounds --in the area of wound healing and anti-diabetes -- are already under development. Lupin will also shortly centralise its R&D operations at Pune, currently spread over units in Mandideep, Madhya Pradesh and Aurangabad in Maharashtra.

Lupin's R&d thrust is being assisted by eminent consultants including professor MM Sharma (recipient of the Padma Bhushan); the former R&D chief (anti-infectives) of Hoechst Marion Roussel professor Horst Dornauer; and CSIR scientist (Emeritus), professor BN Ganguly. Lupin recently roped in Ranbaxy Labs associate vice-president Himadri Sen to head its oral controlled release systems (CRS) and formulations R&D effort.

Meanwhile, Lupin has filed two PCT patents including a process patent for an ace-inhibitor and another for an anti-TB kit, currently undergoing clinical trials. The company's latest annual report indicates that Lupin has filed 29 patents in India, 11 in the US and seven in Europe over the last few years. In June 1999, the company filed a patent application for nicorandil in the US for the treatment of sexual dysfunction.