Lupin Ltd has set up a dedicated manufacturing facility for anti-tuberculosis (TB) formulations in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, to meet the demand for its global business in the anti-TB segment. This plant is expected to become operational in March 2002.
A leader in the anti-TB segment in India, the company has a marketshare of 40.9 per cent. The global market for formulations in anti-TB is about $ 550 million, while in India it is a Rs 350 crore market.
D B Gupta, chairman of the company, said, "We are looking at aggressively exporting to agencies that supply drugs to the countries that need them. We are also looking at a conservative estimate of a 5 per cent marketshare."
The company is keen to make innovative dosages as per the recommendations of World Health Organisation (WHO). "We expect substantial volume from these exports," said Gupta.
The company is also looking at exporting cephalosporin to other markets such as Brazil, Venezuela and the CIS countries. It is also expected to file 5 abbreviated new drug applications during this year. It has just started marketing cephalosporin in the US. And world wide, cephalosporin has a market of about $ 10 billion.
Besides these segments, Lupin is also having presence in neutaceuticals, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cardiovascular, dermatology, anti-viral segments.
While anti-TB segment comprises 45 per cent of Lupin's sales, cephalosporins (both injectible and oral) comprise 23 per cent.
For the Indian market, the company is looking at new segments such as gastroentrology, diabetes, asthma, and paediatric segments. "We should be introducing about 12 new products this year, and about 50 in the next three years, in exiting and new therapeutic segments," Gupta said.
