The Tatas will continue its association with Advinus Therapeutics, the drug discovery start-up company based in Bangalore, and is committed to further invest in the company, said R Gopalakrishnan, chairman of Advinus and executive director, Tata Sons.

Commenting on a news item that the Tata Group was to rethink its association, he said traditionally the Tatas took decisions after considerable thinking and with social commitment.

"We associated with Advinus with the understanding of the nature of drug discovery process. We have invested about Rs 120 crore (Rs 1.2 billion) and will continue to invest and support its activities," said Gopalakrishnan.

The Tatas, which had exited from drug manufacturing business a few years ago by hiving off Rallis India, re-entered the scene recently by picking up stake in Advinus, Avestagen (a biotech company) and Indigene, a biopharmaceutical company based in Hyderabad.

The Tatas also hold about 30 per cent stake in Indigene, now mainly operating in the US market. Rashmi H Barbhaiya, CEO and managing director of Advinus, was not available for comments.