Dutch firm DSM plans unit in India for Puricillin

This version of ampicillin will be superior to existing products.

Netherlands-based DSM, a leading supplier of key pharmaceutical ingredients for drug companies, is planning a new production facility in India to manufacture the branded version of ampicillin, the world's second-largest selling antibiotic.

To be marketed by the name Puricillin, the branded bulk drug will be superior to existing products because of the environment-friendly technology involved in production, according to Gerald F de Reuver, president, DSM Anti-Infectives.

Puricillin will be supplied to manufacturers of ampicillin, whose global sales are estimated at $260 million.

This is DSM's second dedicated facility in the country in the 'pure-active' segment, which involves the production of branded bulk drugs (raw materials) through an 'enzymatic' technology. The company commissioned a similar facility for Purimox (enzymatic amoxicillin) in Punjab last year.

The Indian facility for Purimox supplies medicines to the Asia-Pacific, West Asia and African regions.

The savings on Purimox over chemical amoxicillin would be up to five per cent, depending on the region and manufacturers, Reuver said.

The new facility for Puricillin was the first of its kind for DSM and would also cater to the global demand, Reuver said. The company is yet to finalise its investment plans.

DSM Anti-Infectives, which contributes the lion's share of DSM's $200 million Indian business, plans to make India a hub for its product development and manufacturing programmes.

"We have long term plans to develop new generic molecules, which are low-cost versions of off-patented medicines, developed with superior technology. We are in discussions with leading Indian drug companies for partnership programmes to develop these products. We expect to announce a partnership deal in two months," Reuver said.

DSM started off its Indian operations as a joint venture with Max India in 1987. Fourteen years later, DSM took over the entire operations and the Punjab facility became its manufacturing hub for APIs.

DSM is active worldwide in nutritional and pharma ingredients, performance materials and industrial chemicals. The group has an annual sales of over $11.8 billion (euro 8 billion) and employs about 22,000 people worldwide.