Hetero launches anti-bird flu drug

Hyderabad-based Hetero Drugs has formally launched Oseltamivir, a drug used in the treatment of bird flu in humans, under the brand name Fluvir. Hetero has thus become the first Indian company to produce Oseltamivir. 

Sub-licensed by multinational pharma major Roche to manufacture and supply of generic formulation to over 100 developing countries, including India, the launch function was attended by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Inaugurating the company's new 100% export-oriented generic manufacturing facility on the company's premises, Reddy said that it was heartening to see a Hyderabad-based company becoming the first Indian company to get sub-license from an MNC to produce and supply a new formulation under the new patent regime.

According to B Pardhasaradhi Reddy, chairman & managing director of Hetero group of companies, the new manufacturing unit is dedicated exclusively to American and European markets. 

He said Hetero Drugs, at present, had eight API facilities and four finished dosage manufacturing units. The company's turnover was expected to touch Rs 1,000 crore during 2005-06, he added.

Girish Tehlang, managing director of Roche India, said his company had sub-licensed the anti-bird flu drug manufacturing to Hetero Drugs as it was not in a position to meet the demand for Fluvir. "We together hope to meet the entire requirement," he said.

Hetero has already supplied over seven lakh doses of Fluvir to the Indian government.