Orchid JV manufacturing facility in China commissioned

Hyderabad: Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals (www.orchidpharma.com), a Chennai-based pharmaceuticals major, has announced the commissioning of the first phase of its joint venture manufacturing facility in China.

According to a release from the company, the sterile crystalline facility established by Orchid's 50:50 JV in China (NCPC Orchid Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd) has commenced operations. The modern sterile crystalline facility has been established with Orchid's state-of-the-art technology. The second phase comprising the sterile lyophilisation block will be commissioned by end-October 2003.

To further strengthen its presence in the large Chinese market, Orchid had in July 2002 entered into a 50:50 manufacturing and marketing joint venture in China with North China Pharmaceutical Corporation (NCPC), the largest pharmaceutical group in China.

Through this JV, Orchid will manufacture and market sterile cephalosporin bulk actives and formulations for the Chinese market. The facility has a production capacity of 300 MT and a product range of six cephalosporin bulk actives for parenteral use. The project will consider diversification into formulations and other areas later.

"This JV underlines our confidence in and commitment to the high-volume, high-growth Chinese market, where we have a notable presence. Our teaming up with the largest pharmaceutical corporation, NCPC, has been a win-win move for both the parties. Orchid and NCPC teams worked in perfect coordination to commission the frist phase of this facility on time and within the specified project cost. We expect to commission the second phase of this facility by end-October 2003," says Orchid managing director K Raghavendra Rao.