DSM to produce next-gen drugs

DSM Anti-Infectives, the world's leading supplier of penicillin and penicillin-derivatives and having a manufacturing unit in Nawanshahr district in Punjab, plans to covert the existing unit into a 100 per cent enzyme-based unit by 2010-11 with an investment of Rs 40 crore. It will also introduce enzymatically-produced Puricillin in the Indian market by mid-2009.

Speaking to Business Standard, Ron T de Vries, director (manufacturing & purchase) (Asia-Pacific/West Asia/Africa), said: "We have plans to design the manufacturing processes where the use of chemicals and solvents are limited or eliminated completely. Through intensive research, we have patented a range of enzymatic processes which can replace the traditional chemical processes used in the production of antibiotics. The ratio of enzymatically-produced products and chemical-based products in our facility is 50:50. By the mid of 2009, we hope that 90 per cent of the total product would be enzymatically produced. Further, we are expecting to produce 100 per cent of our product enzymatically by 2010-11."

"We will invest Rs 40 crore over a period of 3-4 year for the purpose and R & D," he added.

The company announced it had become the world's first producer of a range of products by means of enzymatic processes. DSM produced DSMPureActives which includes Purimox (enzymatically-produced Amoxicillin trihydrate), Puridox (enzymatically-produced Cafadroxil monohydrate) and Purilex (enzymatically-produced Cephalexin monohydrate).

He said the enzymatic-processes are not only environment-friendly, but also give products with exceptional purity and stability in comparison with the chemically-produced ones, benefitting both formulators and patients.

The company has recently invested Rs 60 crore in greenfield projects thereby expanding its business portfolio to new overseas customers, which significantly improved the export turnover. As compared to last year, the company expects to increase its export revenues by 170 per cent by the year-end.

The total turnover of DSM in India is $150 million.