Aurobindo Develops 2 New Anti-Aids Drugs

Aurobindo Pharma's exclusive anti-viral division IMUNUS has added two more products to its basket of anti-retrovirals meant for HIV/ AIDS care. The company had earlier launched four products in the division.

With the launch of latest products -- Indivex (Indinavir 400 mg caps) and Stavex (Stavudine 30/40 mg caps) -- the treatment costs about Rs 125 per day. The anti-retroviral drugs offered by Aurobindo are around 15-20 per cent cheaper than those offered by other companies, claims Hariharan, vice-president, IMUNUS division.

Of the 14 drug options available worldwide for AIDS treatment, Aurobindo is offering six options. By the year-end, the company aims to offer all the 11 options that any Indian company can offer, since the remaining three options are covered by exclusive marketing rights (EMRs), Hariharan said.

"We are committed to offering wider and economical product options for treatment of AIDS," Hariharan said at the launch of the new products here on Saturday. He claimed that Aurobindo could afford to offer the products at a competitive price compared to any other company since it produces the bulk drugs for all these products.

"During the last financial year, Aurobindo exported more than Rs 100 crore worth anti-retroviral bulk drugs across the globe", Hariharan said adding that the company has just started export of formulations also for HIV/ AIDS care.

"We are not looking at making profit in HIV-care products. Our strategy is to build our corporate image by offering low cost treatment. As a producer of bulks for all these products, we will succeed in achieving our goal," he said.