RPGLS to foray into generic business

26 Dec 2001

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Mumbai: RPG Life Sciences, the pharmaceutical arm of the Rs 6,500-crore RPG group, is planning to venture into the international generic business with a big bang. It also plans to buy brands and pick up equity stakes in small- or medium-sized pharma companies, apart from its intention to co-market brands.

The company has signed memorandums of understanding with two UK-based pharma majors, Ivax and Bioglan, for jointly developing, manufacturing and marketing products in Europe that come off-patent in the international market, says RPG Life Sciences MD Vinesh Sadekar. "Ivax and Bioglan will market our products in the segments of immuno-suppressive, CNS, cardiovascular, gastroenterology and diabetics." But he did not divulge the name of the brand that is to be marketed by the UK companies.

Sadekar says by 2004-05, RPG LS intends to make a turnover of around Rs 80 crore to 100 crore from the European market alone. "RPG’s newly-completed Ankleshwar plant will be performed as a production hub to cater to the needs of the international market. RPGLS has already received a certification from Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australia, for its bulk drug facility for three products. These initiatives will help RPGLS enlarge its presence in the overseas market."

He says his company has also decided to acquire some brands in the immuno suppressive, CNS, cardiovascular, gastroenterology and diabetics segments. "Some merchant bankers are already working on the assignments for the last few months, though no deal has been signed so far. A substantial part of the funds received from the sale of agro-business will be utilised for brand acquisition."

Sadekar says RPGLS now plans to make significant investments in the field of fermentation and biotechnology, the emerging new discipline in healthcare. The fermentation division of RPGLF has already introduced two critical lifesaving drugs — Doxorubicin and Cyclosporin.

RPGLS has outlined further diversifications in the field of fermentation and is currently investments at the Hindustan Antibiotics facility in Pune to manufacture Vitamin B2, Vitamin B12, Spironolactone and Hyaluronic acid, which may be available in the market by the first quarter of next year.

In addition to these four products, RPGLS has also introduced Epirubicin and Pravastatin, two high-value bulk drugs in the anti-cancer and cholesterol reducing segments. Simultaneously, RPGLS is also expanding its presence in the domestic formulation segment by introducing new formulations in the diabetology, cardiovascular and psychiatry segments, says Sadekar.

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