Aurobindo Pharma Arm Extends Negotiations Deadline With MSD For Contract Manufacturing Operations

Aurobindo Pharma on Thursday said the deadline for negotiations between its arm CuraTeQ Biologics and Merck Sharp & Dohme Singapore for contract manufacturing operations for biologicals has been extended till May next year.

Last year in October, CuraTeQ Biologics Pvt Ltd and Merck Sharp & Dohme Singapore Trading Pte Ltd and its affiliates had signed a letter of intent for contract manufacturing operations for biologicals, whereby the parties intended to conclude the negotiations by March 31, 2024.

"In this regard, we further inform you that said negotiations are yet to be concluded and the parties to the LoI have agreed to extend the timelines with the intention to conclude the said negotiations by May 31, 2024," Aurobindo Pharma said in a regulatory filing.

As per the LOI, CuraTeQ proposed to serve the US-based biopharmaceutical company through its contract manufacturing subsidiary, TheraNym Biologics Pvt Ltd.

CuraTeQ was also to place orders for certain long-lead equipment and begin civil works of the manufacturing facility, which was envisaged to house largescale bioreactors for mammalian cell culture drug substance manufacturing and will include a vial filling isolator line for commercial drug product manufacturing.