Nano Biotech to set up Rs 20-cr unit at Kangra

Amritsar-based Nano Biotech Private Ltd, manufacturers of diagnostic rapid tests, is planning to set up an integrated unit at Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, with an initial investment of around Rs 20 crore.

The company is also planning to foray into pharmaceuticals. The Himachal government has approved the plan for the proposed project. Apart from the proposed Kangra unit, Nano Biotech is also infusing fresh capital of Rs 1 crore for expanding its existing unit and diversifying into beauty products.

Nano Biotech is the fourth player in diagnostic rapid tests in India and the sole unit in Punjab manufacturing HIV testing kits. The company launched its HIV testing kits in January 2005 and has till date sold about 1 lakh kits in the domestic market. The company supplies HIV testing kits to the Haryana government also.

Besides the domestic market, it also supplies these kits to Germany, the USA, Canada and Africa. At present, it supplies 5,000 kits a month to Canada and 3000-4000 kits a month to Germany. Also, The company is also engaged in manufacturing rapid tuberculosis, malaria, dengue and pregnancy diagnostic kits.

Talking to Business Standard, Nano Biotech Managing Director Maninder Sandhu said, "We hope the new unit will be operational by December 06 or by the end of this financial year. The government has already approved the plan and the land for the project would be allotted very soon. We need at least 10,000 square metres of land for manufacturing purposes. With the new production unit at Kangra, we would foray into pharmaceutical and beauty products, the most promising sector, besides diagnostic rapid tests. As far as machinery is concerned, it will be partly indigenous and imported."

Commenting on the selection of Himachal Pradesh, she said, "It is because of tax benefits and to compete in the market."

About the HIV testing kits, she said, "Our expertise is in lateral flow immunochromatography principle-based diagnostic medical devices, which is the latest technology."

Elaborating on the company's plans, she said, "We are investing fresh capital of Rs 1 crore in the existing unit to expand our manufacturing capacity and foray into beauty products. Within a span of three or four months, we will launch diagnostic test kits for toxoplasma, typhoid, h. pylori, myoglobin, gonorrehea and leismania."

"We are also planning to launch beauty products, like anti-pimple lotion, nail anti-fungal cream, facial mask, blackhead remover solution, throat care, breathe well strip etc," she said.

On their beauty products plans, she said, "Although there are various products from different companies in the market, our formula and approach will be entirely different from others. Our vision is to provide innovative, simple to use and cost-effective products to the healthcare industry for better diagnosis."