Marck eyes US export market

Ahmedabad-based injectable medicine manufacturer Marck Biosciences Ltd, which grew eight fold in the last 10 years to become a Rs 40 crore firm in 2007, is an excellent example of how niche business help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) grow.

The company, which decided to opt out of routine pharmaceutical manufacturing, made a mark in the less crowded large and small volume parenteral (LVP & SVP)segments.

It is today a well known in the injectables segment name along with companies like Baxter, Nirma, Claris Life Sciences, Fresinius and Albert David. The large and small volume parenterals market in India is worth about Rs 1,400 crore.

The company is today eyeing export opportunities in a big way. "We are exporting to over 40 countries in Africa, Central America and the CIS countries and will look at opportunities in countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines soon," Bhavesh Patel, managing director Marck said.

The company plans to launch IV fluids, injectables, ophthalmic products, diluents, respiratory products and irrigational (wound cleaning) products in the South-East Asian markets. It is also eyeing at the US and European markets and is investing Rs 72 crore to expand its manufacturing capacity.

Contract manufacturing continues to be Marck's strength and the company expects a fourth of its revenues in 2007 to come from job work. In both LVP and SVP categories, Marck directly sells the products in both international and domestic markets and does contract manufacturing for 48 of India's top 50 pharma companies and also some Major International pharma companies.

Marck's customer base in contract manufacturing includes companies like Dr Reddy's, Torrent, Cadila, Themis, Zydus, Shreya, Glenmark, Ranbaxy and international customers from USA, South East Asia and Africa, Patel said.