J B Chem to strengthen its Europe, US presence

The Mumbai-based J B Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals will soon strengthen its operations into the regulated markets of Europe and US through strategic marketing alliances with leading generic companies in US and Europe.

J B Chem, a major drug exporter to the Russia and CIS, is in advanced stages of negotiations with two to three generic drug majors in US to rope in strategic marketing alliances, Nirav Mody, vice-president, told Business Standard.

"So far our operations in the EU and US markets were very negligible. We hope to announce a marketing tie up soon and that will help to catapult our exports to the regulated markets", he added.

The US interests of JB Chemicals will also include contract manufacturing and contract formulations development, besides application programming interface (API) supply to the major US and European drug manufacturers.

He said the company has three Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) approvals from US FDA and is planning to file 4-5 ANDAs progressively to augment drug exports to US and Europe within the next 12-18 months. Its supply pact alliances already include companies like Spectrum Pharmaceuticals and Lannett &Co.

Around two months ago, JB Chemicals had announced filing of API Drug Master File (DMF) for Diclofenac Diethylamine, a pain management formulation with the US FDA. Unique Chemicals, a division of J B Chem, has already received US FDA approval for the DMFs for other Diclofenac salts like Diclofenac Sodium and Diclofenac Potassium.

Company sources said this helps JB Chemicals to consolidate its position in the Diclofenac range and become a world leader for the supply of the Diclofenac API.

Its manufacturing facility at Panoli for manufacturing API including Diclofenac range of products is already approved by USFDA.

Mody added the company has made a strategic investment of $ 5.1 million in Biotech Laboratories. (Biotech) of South Africa, to acquire a 49 per cent stake in the company.

Biotech is the 10th largest company and one of the fastest growing in the South African market with 'Black Economic Enterprise' status, which helps to bag government tenders.

JBCPL manufactures and markets different range of pharmaceutical formulations, herbal remedies and API's.

JBCPL exports to more than 50 countries worldwide with a strong presence in Russia, Ukraine and the other CIS countries. Its 'Doktor Mom' range, which includes cough syrups, lozengers and rub, is one among the largest selling brands in the Russian market.