Avesthagen is a leading life science company pioneering the convergence between Food, Pharma and Population Genetics leading to Predictive Preventive Personalized Healthcare^TM.

The business model of Avesthagen is to combine IP & product development through in-house research and collaborations. Avesthagen has built and continues to build an integrated, systems biology approach of capabilities, products, infrastructure and technology that allows for and facilitates ‘cross talk’ between numerous disciplines, leading to unique and innovative solutions. We employ 450 people worldwide and are headquartered in Bangalore, India.

Systems Biology Model. When it comes to discovery and scientific breakthrough we believe in putting together rather than taking apart, integration rather than reduction. The pluralism of causes and effects in biological networks is better addressed by observing, through quantitative measures, multiple components simultaneously and by rigorous data integration and analysis. Systems biology is about looking at one event from different angles; it is about merging sciences at micro and macro levels. It means changing traditional scientific philosophy, in the full sense of the term.

Predictive Preventive Personalized Healthcare. We believe that healthcare will be revolutionized by genomic and stem cell research, becoming predictive, preventive, and personalized. The goal of personalized medicine is, first of all, to use the advanced tools of molecular genetics to predict how patients will respond to drugs, reducing harm and increasing benefit. The dual combination of diagnostic and treatment technologies is at the heart of personalized medicine and will transform healthcare dramatically. We have just entered the world of molecular medicine, and the realities of regenerative medicine and preventative healthcare are within our grasp.

Preventive Nutrition

The BioNutrition (or Food-for-Medicine^TM) group focuses on developing scientifically validated bioactives from Indian medicinal plants for prevention or treatment of degenerative conditions such as diabetes, obesity, CVD and bone health. We also work on performance enhancement, stress management, skincare, weight management, immunomodulation, pain management, osteoarthritis and digestion through use of proprietary tools. FFM products target both food and pharma markets and, coupled with global marketing strategies and the acquisition of two product driven businesses, the BioNutrition group is poised for sustainable fast growth. It hosts two wholly owned subsidiaries and large collaborative programs. 

On the Dietary Supplement front, Avesthagen markets scientifically validated natural ingredients. These set the highest standards for purity and concentration of active constituents. Many of our leading products have strong intellectual proprietary positions. These include trademarks and patents that employ process, composition and method of use claims. Products are manufactured in India and sold in the US and Japan in the form of pills and powders and worldwide though bulk volumes. Europe and south-east Asia will be covered by mid 2009. We have an existing catalogue of over 40 standardized extracts and multiple grades of innovative specialty products and will continue to fuel the pipeline with new products developed in-house or though collaborations.

The food wing develops nutritious alternatives for breakfast, daily snacks, and functional foods for all who strive towards promoting well-being through a healthy diet. The products target the discriminating health conscious consumer, who cares about using natural food ingredients for their nutrition requirements and those who believe that their health can be managed better through foods. This unit follows the philosophy of healthy and tasty foods while adding value by bringing to market product lines fortified with clinically validated nutritional bioactives developed by the FFM team. Products are currently sold in India and will enter Europe & US in 2009.

The BioAgriculture (or Seed-for-Food^TM) group focuses on biotic & abiotic stress resistance, oil enhancement and developing functional foods from plants. It hosts three wholly owned subsidiaries, large collaborative programs with the likes of Limagrain and Godrej and sees itself as a vehicle of high quality seed transmutation, wherein crops are developed through a combination of genetic and genomic tools, conventional and markers assisted breeding, exploiting natural and directed variation and trans/cisgenics. The aim is to combine/create germplasm with in-house technologies to enhance trait based solutions for farmers in India and across the globe. 

Personalised Healthcare

In the Science & Innovation group, technologies are being developed through collaborative R&D with global partners in the life sciences industry. It is the R&D heart of Avesthagen where new ideas are incubated and the main driver in the creation of high value IP. Over the years numerous collaborations have emerged from this program and evolved into new ventures. Others have also attracted equity investments in the parent company. The Science & Innovation business unit of Avesthagen employs a Systems Biology approach for the dissection of molecular mechanisms in human diseases and works towards delivery of innovative solutions for predictive, preventive, personalized healthcare. To take a product or a technology from concept to market is Science & Innovation’s greatest strength.

Science & Innovation currently covers four programs : AVESTAGENOME^TM (a flagship large scale population genomics study on Parsis), Cancer Stem Cells, Molecular Diagnostics and, finally, Natural Drug Discovery.    

Under the BioPharmaceuticals group a solid pipeline of biosimilars is being developed in partnership with Cipla Ltd. The group focuses on pathway engineering and development of novel expression systems, development of product specific bioassays and design of novel animal component free production media, generation of over-expressing stable cell lines, development of proprietary expression platforms and novel, scalable processes in microbial and mammalian systems. Scale-up, manufacturing and supply of commercial scale material is done through a joint venture with certified manufacturing facilities in India and Malaysia. The first products are expected to reach the market early 2011 and will be sold in unregulated markets through Cipla’s distribution network. Regulated markets will be penetrated post patent expiry. 

First mover advantage, strategic positioning and worldwide collaborations saw the company progress towards its goal of bringing new safe medicine faster to the world whilst keeping social and ecological aspects in mind. Avesthagen recognise that corporate responsibility does not end at the factory gate or at office doors and that economic performance and attention to people go hand in hand. 

Avesthagen has built number of collaborations including joint ventures and equity led deals with global partners generating significant IP portfolio – valued by independent parties at Eur 2 Bn. In addition, we received numerous international certifications and awards. Revenues have progressed steadily since 2006 and we have seeing fast growth compared to the usual gestation period in the biotech industry. The company has raised to date more than Eur 40 million in equity that have been carefully deployed on four acquisitions and a substantial product portfolio and pipeline. Avesthagen is armed with international manufacturing, distribution and marketing capabilities.