Elder Pharmaceuticals Ltd (EPL), the Rs 800 crore manufacturer of superbrand calcium supplement ShelCal, plans to launch 35 new products in the coming 30 months in niche therapeutic segments like female healthcare, osteoporosis, dermatology, pain management, cardiology, nutraceuticals, wound care and vitamin supplements. This will consist of a combination of in-licensed and own products although the larger focus will be on self-researched products.
The company has a state-of-the-art research & development centre at Navi Mumbai which is recognised by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Ministry of Science & Technology. The R&D centre has recently been modernised and expanded and now consists of about 100 scientists.
“We are looking at launching atleast 8-9 products each in the women’s healthcare and nutraceuticals segments which are growing at an average of 18-20% annually - higher than the 12-13% growth rate of the overall domestic pharma industry. Our scientists are also working on new products, new drug delivery systems and combination therapies in niche therapeutic segments like osteoporosis, dermatology, cardiology, pain management, would care, vitamin supplements etc and we hope to launch atleast 3-4 new products in each of these segments,” said Alok Saxena, director, EPL.
The balance launches will be in-licensed products. The company has earmarked an investment of about Rs 120-130 crore for this.
The company is also looking at the wound care and pain management segments which currently contribute about 16% to Elder’s turnover and anticipated to grow at over 15% every year. The mantra in these segments will be launch of therapies which are non-invasive and having little or no side effects.
Since women’s healthcare products & nutraceuticals constitute the biggest bulk (almost 50%) of the company’s turnover, emphasis will be on products for treatment and nutrition for women. Most of the launches will be through the ethical route only.
Elder already has a range of products for women care and new opportunities are being identified to fulfill all daily nutritional and medical needs for women. Indian women have high mortality rates, particularly during childhood and in their reproductive years. Major health concerns for women include post-menopausal complications, pre and post pregnancy complications, anemia, malnutrition, osteoporosis etc.
Shelcal, a calcium supplement primarily for women, is one of the largest selling pharmaceutical products in the country with revenues of over Rs 200 crore and alone contributes about 25% of the company’s total revenue.
On the nutraceutical front, Elder Pharma already has a wide range of products like Ecozyme formulation of Coenzyme Q (10) in chewable tablets form, IMBRAN from Daiwa of JapaN, Eldervit ZC, Nephrocaps, Elmecob and PHYTOMEGA from
Enzymotec of Israel is a unique supplement for management of high lipid levels.
Elder Pharma is targeting a turnover of Rs 1500 crore by 2013.