16-31 Augus t 2012 I Vol 1 I No 4 I `100
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In Conversation With 13
Special Focus 14
Roundtable 18
Insight & Outlook 22
Apurva Shah Group MD and Co-Founder, Veeda Clinical Research Pvt Ltd
South East Asian countries Next hub for outsourcing?
Does India follow a stringent regulatory process for approving clinical trials?
Energy Management Green logistics: Cost effective A myth or reality?
Ranbaxy reports ` 586 crore loss in Q2 2012 RANBAXY Ranbaxy Laboratories posted an unexpected quarterly loss of ` 586 crore ($106 million) as foreign exchange losses ballooned although sales in its key US market more than doubled. Net sales rose 54.5 per cent to ` 3,174 crore. The depreciation of the rupee against the dollar, though favourable to Ranbaxy’s export business, had an adverse impact on the company, said Ranbaxy. “Sales and profitability grew in the quarter with overall improvement across major regions, aided further by exclusivity sales in some of the key markets,” Arun Sawhney, CEO, Ranbaxy said in a statement.
Diabetes and BP tablets at ` 2 each Ozone Pharmaceutical is planning to sell medicines for chronic diseases like diabetes and blood pressure under a uniform pricing initiative where they will cost as low as ` 2 per tablet. “We have decided to take this uniform pricing initiative to make these medicines affordable despite the fact that this will impact our margins substantially,” said S C Sehgal, CMD, Ozone Group.
Wockhardt ushers into top 3 Indian pharma companies Wockhardt Ltd delivered 95 per cent increase in Profit After Tax (PAT) at ` 378 crore in the first quarter of financial year 2012‐13. The EBITDA at ` 502 crore grew by 61 per cent and represented 10th consecutive quarter of sequential growth.This sustained EBITDA and PAT performance, both in terms of value and margins, now ushers Wockhardt amongst the top 3 best performing Indian pharma companies.
Piramal’s Imaging Division and IBA Molecular in pact Piramal Imaging SA (Piramal) and IBA Molecular announced an agreement whereby IBA Molecular will manufacture and distribute 18F-Florbetaben, Piramal’s diagnostic imaging agent, in the European and US markets. 18F-Florbetaben is a radiopharmaceutical currently in development for use with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) for the detection of beta-Amyloid plaque deposition in the brain, a pathological feature associated with Alzheimer’s and other neurologic conditions. “18F-Florbetaben is our lead compound in the molecular imaging business, and we are confident that it has the potential to increase clinicians’ accuracy and confidence,” said Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Group.
Pharma companies commit to improve drug access in India ORGANISATION of Pharmaceutical Producers of India’s (OPPI) Conclave on ‘Access, Innovation and Reach of Healthcare in India’ chalked the thought of improving healthcare access throughout India through innovation and research by drug companies. Among those present were Dilsher Singh Kalha, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India; Dr Nata Menabde, WHO India Representative; and Dr K Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI). Kalha commented, “You could argue that government has not done the best but you cannot say that the government has not paid attention at all. Over the decade things have improved and there have been failures and successes.” He also highlighted that the agenda of all is to make the dream of affordable healthcare a reality and everyone has to
L-R: Ranjit Shahani, President, OPPI; Dr Reddy and Kalha
make their contribution to bring about a change. Tapan Ray, Director General, OPPI, said, “Access to healthcare comprises not just of medicines, but more importantly a robust healthcare infrastructure. In India, the demand for these services has outstripped supply.” Dr Menabde said, “If the government provides effective financing to deliver services to people in a responsive way, ensure fair regulation
and provide the necessary manpower, the performance will dramatically improve regarding easier access to facilities, better quality of services and higher system efficiency. This will ultimately contribute towards improved population health.” Dr Reddy elaborated on the need of universal healthcare, “The journey towards a better healthcare system in India has begun with the Prime Minister announcing 12th Five Year Plan as the ‘Plan for Health.’ The proposed increase in public expenditures on health from the current level of 1.2 per cent of GDP to at least 2.5 per cent by the end of the 12th Plan, and to at least 3 per cent of GDP in the 13th Plan is a step closer towards realising the universal healthcare coverage 2022 vision that seeks to entitle universal health entitlement to every citizen, guarantee access to an essential health package and integrate healthcare delivery.”
Stempeutics to launch India’s first stem cell-based product by 2013 STEMPEUTICS Research Pvt Ltd, a company developing stem cell-based medicinal products with facilities in Bengaluru, Manipal and Kuala Lampur, is in the process of bringing its first stem cell therapy product in the Indian market. Stempeutics is working on two products; Stempeucell, a stem cell-based product, is slated to be commercialised by 2014-2015. It is currently in Phase III trials. Another product Stempeutron, a fully
Manohar
automated stem cell isolation device that will prove a boon for cosmetic surgeons is expected to be launched by 2014. B N Manohar, CEO, Stempeutics Research Pvt
Ltd, said, “We will be initially launching it in the Indian and Malaysian market and later we plan to expand to South East Asia followed by Europe and US.” Stempeutics will be coming up with its first OTC product - Stempeucare by 2013. It is derived from the conditioned medium in which stem cells have been cultured. Manohar said, “We are using the conditioned medium that is rich in growth factors and cytokines for its potential use
in the cosmetic segment.” Although we have not yet finalised the nature of the final product, we will be focusing on two indications namely anti-ageing and hair growth. In addition Stempeutics is still working on the cost factor and trying to make its stem cell-based products more economical as compared to the existing treatments. Manohar added, “We are making efforts to get the products covered under medical insurance.” - Shibani Shah
ClinTec International starts operations in Malawi CLINTEC International has expanded its operations into Malawi. ClinTech has partnered with oa pharma company for vaccine development in Africa and Asia. Africa is a pivotal region for the development of adult and paediatric vaccines against infectious diseases. The company is in the process of wrecruiting skilled personnel with
vaccine research experience to join its already established teams in Africa and Asia. Dr Rabinder Buttar, President, CEO and Founder, ClinTec International Group, stated, “Despite the challenging economic conditions through which many of our clients are restructuring their organisations, ClinTec continues to grow and win
Dr Buttar
major new business from pharma companies. The company is continuing to expand into interesting new regions for clinical research. As the pharma industry increasingly focusses its drug development efforts on the emerging markets, ClinTec will closely partner with its clients, aligning its services and operations to fit with their needs”.