AHMEDABAD: India will be the first country where Canada will soon conduct clinical trials for 800 antibodies to produce cost-effective drugs that can effectively treat various forms of cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmunity. A Canadian delegation said they are also identifying Indian pharmaceutical firms to research on swine flu and share their expertise on dengue and Ebola.

All the 800 antibodies that are genuine therapeutic candidates have been developed at the Centre for Commercialization of Antibodies and Biologics (CCAB), a Canadian Federally-funded centre of excellence.

At a time when swine flu scare continues unabated in Gujarat, CCAB CEO Dr Sachdev Sidhu told TOI, “CCAB is in talks with Indian firms to develop antibodies and drugs for H1N1 influenza that claims so many lives every year. We have research ready on dengue and Ebola.”

Canadaon Wednesday held a high-profile meeting with the country's leading CROs, pharmaceutical companies and regulators in Ahmedabad. The meeting was hosted by Canada India Business Exchange (CIBX) and Confederation of Indian Industry.

Earlier, the team also held several round of talks with pharmaceutical companies in Chennai and Kochi. Dr Sidhu said: “CCAB now wants to introduce breakthrough cancer drugs globally, including India. The deal will have transfer of technical and intellectual properties.”