Hindustan Bio to launch 'Eposino' by year-end

Company to go in for clinical trials, though not mandatory

City-based Hindustan Bio Sciences Limited (HBSL) expects to launch recombinant human erythropoietin 'Eposino' by the year-end. It is planning to conduct multi-centric clinical trials on the product in August.

HBSL is awaiting the government's approval for launching two more products "� interferon and human growth hormone "� next year. The company is also in talks with manufacturing companies based in China for marketing rights for another three products.

HBSL managing director Mohan Raju told Business Standard that the company has decided to go in for clinical trials, though it is not mandatory, to prove the efficacy of the drug in India. Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) accorded its approval for the clinical trials in June.

Hindustan Bio Sciences acquired the marketing rights for 'Eposino' from Shandong Kexing Bioproducts Company based in Shandong province of China.

Raju said that the company would price at nearly half the cost of existing products in the country. At present, the existing drugs were being sold for around Rs 1,500 per pre-filled syringe, he said.

While the global market for the drug is estimated at $8.6 billion, the domestic market is around Rs 70 crore.

According to him, HBSL will initially import the product in bulk from China and sell it as pre-filled syringes and vials. The company is also targeting countries like Iran for exports and was in negotiations with the Chinese company.

Raju also said that the company had applied for GEAC permission for conducting clinical trials on two more products "� recombinant human interferon alpha-2b and recombinant human growth hormone.

GEAC is expected to give its approval by the year-end and the company plans to launch these two products next year, he said.

HBSL entered into agreements with two Chinese companies, Tianjin Hualida Bioengineering Company Limited and Gene Science Pharmaceuticals Company Limited, for the rights over recombinant human interferon alpha-2b and recombinant human growth hormone respectively.

After the launch of these products, HBSL will market another three new products "� Molgramostim, Filgrastim and Interleukins.

Hindustan Bio Sciences is already in advanced stages of negotiations, for these products, with some manufacturing companies based in China, Raju said.

After the consolidation of the company's foray into biotechnology, expected in two years, the plans to set up its own manufacturing facility at a cost of around Rs 20 crore and also venture into research and development.