Singapore: Shasun Pharmaceuticals and Debiopharm Group entered into a licensing agreement for the manufacturing and commercialization of Huperzine-A. The drug is a potent and reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor which significantly improves memory deficiency and cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

According to the terms of the agreement, Shasun Pharmaceuticals will be able to use the Debiopharm's technology for the manufacture of synthetic Huperzine-A under GMP quality conditions and commercialize it in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets.

The manufacturing technology involves a 10-stage chemical synthesis process including a complex chiral organometallic step as a key transformation of the Huperzine-A structure. The synthesis is a result of a joint collaboration between Shasun's research centers in Chennai, India, and the UK.

This technology was recently recognized and awarded at the North East of England Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC), Innovation Awards in 2012. NEPIC is a stand-alone company that represents over 500 pharmaceutical, biotechnology, specialty chemical, polymer and rubber, petrochemical and commodity chemical companies based in the North East of England.

Dr Michel Spagnol, president of Shasun Pharmaceuticals, added, "We are very proud of this achievement, resulting from a very close collaboration with Debiopharm. It underlines our commitment to delivering cutting-edge science in all our processes through our global R&D network."