Shreya launches recombinant human insulin with US firm

The Rs 350-crore Shreya Life Sciences has announced the launch of Recombinant Human Insulin under the brand name Reconsulin. This insulin is based on the technology from Savient which is based in the United States and it a global player in biotechnology.

Announcing the launch, a spokesperson for Shreya Life said: "Initially, we will launch the product by importing the finished product from Bioton of Poland which manufactures this insulin using Savient's technology. By December 2005, we plan to import insulin crystals and formulate the product at our manufacturing unit in Aurangabad."

Commenting on the related expansion plans, he said: "We are already into backward integration and one of our group companies, Shreya Biotech is setting up a Rs 260 crore unit at Pune for manufacture of insulin crystals based on the technology from Savient. By the next year-end we will commence production and we will be among the first Indian companies to manufacture human insulin crystals on a commercial scale. This will enable us to offer our insulin product at a cost-effective price."

Shreya's entry into recombinant human insulin market follows closely on the heels of a similar launch by Biocon, which has developed its own product.

Companies like Shreya and Biocon are getting active in the diabetes therapy market which is estimated to be Rs 906 crore and is growing at 14 per cent. The insulin market is estimated to be at Rs 250 crore and is growing at nearly 22 per cent.

Along with the launch of Reconsulin, the company also announced the launch of needle-free insulin delivery device "" Recojet.

"We have brought the product to India through an exclusive arrangement with Antares Pharma of US. The insulin delivery with the device is done through pressure and is needle-free," the spokesperson noted.