Four Mncs In Parleys With Lupin For Using Its R & D
The Indian company will conduct research on new drugs as well as develop technologies for these multinationals. It is reliably learnt that four MNCs are holding talks with the company.
If Lupin undertakes contract work, it will be the first Indian company to offer such facilities to international players.
Lupin will develop new technologies that would help multinationals to commercialise the process and manufacture products at a low cost. Several multi national companies have approached Lupin to contract out its research and development facilities for development of specialised drugs. The company has already set up an ultra modern state-of-the-art laboratory at Pune, Maharashtra, for basic research. The company may use facilities at this research centre to develop new molecules.
The specialised analytical development laboratory which has commenced operations will also provide support to the R&D facilities.
Lupin, the market leader in anti-TB range, is launching four more drugs sometime in 1997. The new drugs that would hit the market are anti-malarial mefloquinine, two cardio-vascular formulations - lisnorpil and enalapril and an injectable anti-bacterial drug ceplazidime.
According to N L Gupta, director (R&D), of the company a pilot plant for Ceplazidime was already operational. The company will soon set up commercial operations for this drug which will also cater to the overseas market.
He pointed out that the company has also lined up several anti-bacterial drugs which would be introduced sometime in 1998-99.
Lupin Laboratories invests around 5 to 6 per cent of its sales turnover per annum for research activities. Last year, the company is believed to have put in around Rs 25-30 crore for conducting research
activities.
Expecting the end of patents regime within the next few year, Lupin is busy working out strategies for growth. It is targeting the $2.2 billion US market, especially the generic segment. t.asp"-->