Zydus Cadila eyes SAARC countries

After the recent acquisition of the 100 per cent stake in the animal healthcare joint venture (JV) company "" Sarabhai Zydus Animal Health Ltd, healthcare major Cadila Healthcare Ltd, had started exporting its animal healthcare products to the SAARC nations.

Shirish J Maniar, senior vice president, corporate finance, Cadila Healthcare Ltd, told Business Standard, "We have begun exports and to start with we are targeting our neighbouring countries."

He further clarified that the company is targeting only the SAARC countries with its animal healthcare products.

Basically, the animal healthcare company of Zydus Cadila, only catered the domestic market until now. This step taken by the company could be its next step towards exploring the export potential in the overseas market.

The animal healthcare company started as a JV with Ambalal Sarabhai Enterprises. In 2000, the turnover of this JV of animal healthcare stood at Rs 13 crore. The turnover of the company now stands at Rs 88.87 crore for the financial year-ended on March 31, 2007. "We expect to touch Rs 100 crore turnover in the FY'07-'08," added Maniar. Looking at the growing demand and market for animal healthcare in the domestic and overseas markets, the company expects to see an increase in its business in animal healthcare segment.

Cadila Healthcare Ltd recently entered into a share purchase agreement with Ambalal Sarabhai Enterprises to acquire the remaining 50 per cent holding in the joint venture company, Sarabhai Zydus Animal Health Ltd.

The acquisition made Sarabhai Zydus Animal Health Ltd, a 100 per cent subsidiary firm of the Zydus Cadila group. Sarabhai Zydus Animal Health Ltd, formed in 2000, is amongst the leading animal healthcare companies in India.

The company markets a wide range of therapies and has a strong presence in the livestock, poultry and companion animal business.

The company has a countrywide marketing network, with 250 employees.

The company posted a turnover of Rs 88.87 crore in 2006-07, also has alliances with Abic, a Teva group company and Lillydale of UK Sarabhai Zydus Animal Health Ltd.