Shasun Pharma to launch own branded drugs

City-based manufacturer of active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulations, Shasun Pharmaceuticals, will soon have its own branded products—both over-the-counter products and prescription drugs—in the market.

The company will also brand and market its contract research and manufacturing services (CRAMS), while setting up a new API plant at Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

By lining up a slew of growth initiatives, the company expects 30 per cent growth in its consolidated revenues for this year and next year—moving up from Rs 840 crore in 2010-11 to Rs 1,300 crore by 2012-13.

A leading producer of ibuprofen and derivatives, the company is coming up with a new pain management OTC product. The product will be available in balm, gel and ointment formats and will hit the market in 2012.

“The unique formulation will be a patented product and the clinical trials are on,” said S Abhaya Kumar, managing director of Shasun Pharmaceuticals.

In prescription drugs too, the company will be introducing some branded generics for renal management and diabetes.

The company has 70 process patents. For the marketing of branded products and CRAMS, the company will be spending Rs 10 crore next year.

Further, it will also invest Rs 100 crore in two years on the new manufacturing plant coming up in Vishakhapatnam.

Shasun is looking at various options to improve its leverage like divesting stake with financial investors or seeking external commercial borrowings from banks.

According to Kumar, the company wants to grow its formulation business over the coming years.

“Formulations currently contribute 10 per cent to the total revenue; this should go up to 20 per cent this year. We will be filing five to six ANDAs every year henceforth.”

“In CRAMS, we will also be projecting our capabilities in handling hazardous reactions and complex procedures in the phase II and III trials through road shows and seminars in the US, Japan and China,” he said.

The company will also cut down the production of less profitable products meant for the unregulated markets and focus on high-value products for the regulated markets.

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