Troikaa hopes new painkiller may boost exports

Ahmedabad-based Troikaa Pharmaceuticals, which recently launched a new version of of its painless painkiller injection, Dynapar AQ 1ml, is expecting exports of the drug to touch Rs 2 crore by the end of financial year 2008-09.

Troikaa has applied to around 107 countries for patents for the variant. The company expects approvals from around 35-40 countries by mid-2008.

The company has also decided to set up an export-oriented unit near Ahmedabad to strengthen its presence in the regulated markets. An investment of Rs 140 crore through debt financing is on the anvil for the third plant.

Focusing on an innovative drug delivery system, the company has over the past two years invested Rs 3.5 crore in R&D to develop a diclofenac injection which, unlike conventional ones, causes minimum muscle damage and pain at the injection site.

"Conventional diclofenac injections deliver 75 mg diclofenac in a relatively larger volume of 3 ml, which causes muscle damage. Ironically, these injections, which are administered to alleviate pain, cause pain at the injection site. Dynapar AQ is a novel high concentration diclofenac injection, which delivers the full dose of 75 mg in just 1ml, hence causing minimum damage and pain," said Ketan Patel, managing director of Troikaa Pharmaceuticals.

Patel added that the drug will outsell other conventional diclofenac injections in the market over a period of time.

"We are expecting to register a higher turnover of Rs 140 crore by March 2009 with the help of this new drug. With domestic sales as well as exports set to increase, we are expanding the capacity for manufacturing this drug from 9 lakh units per month to 20 lakh units per month in one year," said Patel.