US-based Allergan Inc on Wednesday launched a pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) firm here. Part of the Allergan's worldwide R&D operations, the Allergan Pharmaceutical Development Centre India would focus on implementing global ph armaceutical research and development projects that Allergan conducts in the country.

The centre here would initially have 15 clinical research and data management personnel which is expected to double within two years, Allergan Worldwide Executive Vice President (R&D) Scott M Whitcup said at a press meet here. He estimated the company's investment for this India initiative at 3-5 million in the next couple of years.

"R&D activities at the centre will initially focus on therapies in areas such as inflammatory and infective conditions of the eye, movement disorders and urological indications,'' Whitcup said. The opening of the centre would allow close scientific coll aboration with leading researchers and medical professionals in India, he added.

"Our goal is to develop new and innovative treatments that will benefit patients in India and the rest of the world,'' Mr Whitcup said. The centre here is the third largest outside of the US for New York Stock Exchange-listed Allergan, which clocked $3. 01 billion sale for calendar year 2006, after Sydney and London, he added

Allergan India Pvt Ltd, another arm of the company, also located here, would continue to manage the commercial side of Allergan's business in India. - PTI

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