New Delhi, Mar 28 (PTI) 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 (MSD) had signed a letter of intent (LoI) for contract manufacturing operations (CMO) for biologicals, whereby the parties intended to conclude the negotiations by March 31, 2024.

Also Read | Good Friday 2024 FAQs: Is Stock Market Open or Closed on Good Friday? Is There a Bank Holiday on Good Friday? Here’s All You Need To Know.

"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.

Also Read | Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse in Baltimore: Things to Know About Key Bridge aka Beltway Bridge in the US That Collapsed Into River After Being Struck by Cargo Ship.

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.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)