India would be the partner country at the Berlin Tourism Fair-2007, the biggest tourism and travel trade show in the world. This initiative is expected to greatly enhance India’s profile as a world-class tourist destination. An agreement to this effect was signed between Union tourism ministry and Messe Germany, the organisers of Berlin Tourism Fair, called ITB Berlin, in the presence of Union tourism secretary A.K. Mishra on World Tourism Day on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mishra said that ITB Berlin, being held from March 7-11, 2007, would provide an ideal platform for showcasing India’s unique tourism products and promoting India as a preferred tourist destination. As the partner country, India would be the focus of five to six million people for one week and reach out to large audience from across the globe that would include travel industry representatives, decision makers, international press, and most importantly, the potential tourists themselves, he stated.

"This would go a long way in keeping up the momentum, as can be gauged from the fact that during the last two years, foreign tourist traffic has registered an increase of 45.5 per cent and earnings have registered a growth of 62.2 per cent in dollar terms. Further, 15 important tourist destinations would be taken up for substantial upgradation of infrastructure and facilities. In addition, we are trying to promote niche products like rural tourism, agri tourism, medical tourism, culture tourism, Himalayan tourism, tea tourism and the Buddhist circuit," Mr Mishra said.

To mark the occasion, Mr Mishra inaugurated an exhibition of award-winning entries of the various contests organised by the Union tourism ministry, as part of the World Tourism Day celebrations. As partner country at the ITB Berlin-2007, India would be presented by the organisers in all ITB advertising and at all press conferences and trade shows where ITB is promoted.

India would have exclusive rights to conceptualise and organise the opening ceremony of ITB 2007. Other publicity opportunities available to India as a partner country would include advertising at select spots/venues in and around the fair ground at Berlin.

In a deal that is seen as part of its continuing strategy to de-risk pharma R&D, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories said on Wednesday it has entered into an agreement with the United Kingdom-based ClinTec International for the joint development of an anti-cancer compound, codenamed DRF 1042, for potential treatment of various types of cancer.

Dr Reddy’s has completed Phase I clinical trials for DRF 1042 in India. Under the agreement, Dr Reddy’s and ClinTec International will co-develop DRF 1042, undertaking Phase II and Phase III clinical trials, with the aim of securing USFDA and EMEA approvals. The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed. According to a Dr Reddy’s statement, the company retains the commercialization rights for the US and rest of the world markets (excluding ClinTec International territories). ClinTec International will be granted the commercialisation rights for most of Europe including major European markets.

On commercialisation of the product, Dr Reddy’s will receive royalty on sales by ClinTec International in its designated territories and ClinTec International will receive royalty on sales by Dr. Reddy’s in the US. The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed. "ClinTec International brings to this partnership their vast experience and in-depth expertise in the anti-cancer clinical development space," Mr G.V. Prasad, CEO of Dr Reddy’s, was quoted as saying. The ClinTech deal follows a similar arrangement reached by Dr Reddy’s with Rhescience A/S, an independent research company in Denmark, in September last year. The two companies will jointly develop and commercialise of balaglitazone (DRF 2593) for the treatment of Type II diabetes.