Mumbai: Biocon Ltd, India's premier biotechnology firm, has won the BioSpectrum 'Product of the Year' award 2007, for its novel antibody-based cancer drug, BIOMAb EGFR.

BIOMAb EGFR was chosen for the award on the basis of its consistent response in clinical trials worldwide, the publications group said in a statement.

'Biocon's drug is the first of its kind to be clinically developed in India,' the statement added.

With the global launch of the drug in September 2006, the Bangalore-based firm also joined the select league of companies that have developed proprietary monoclonal antibody-based immuno-therapeutics.

Immuno-therapeutics is a new class of drugs that addresses unmet needs in oncology and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus.

The 'monoclonal antibody-based drug' treats solid tumours of epithelial origin, such as head and neck cancers.

Varaprasad Reddy, chairman and MD of Rasi Seeds, won the `Person of the Year' award for his efforts in developing quality BT cotton hybrids. Rasi Seeds, which accounted for 29 per cent of the total BT cotton seeds sold in India in 2006, also received the 'Bio Agri Company of the Year' award.

Dr Pushpa Mittra Bhargava, former director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) was conferred the `Life Time Achievement' award.

Dr Vijay Chandru, MD, Strand Life Science, won the 'Entrepreneur of the Year' award while Gujarat won the special jury award for the 'Biotech State of the Year', for its strides taken in biotech.

Serum Institute, which supplies vaccines to more than 130 countries and with sales revenue of Rs 951 crore, was adjudged the 'Biopharma Company of the Year', while Syngene bagged the award under the category, 'BioServices Company of 2007'.

Novozymes, which produces and sells more than 600 enzyme products in 130 countries, won the 'Bioindustrial Company of the Year' award while Thermo Fisher won the 'Bio Supplier Company of the Year' award.