Pharmabiz
 

AP bucks the trend

Y V Phani Raj, HyderabadThursday, April 20, 2006, 08:00 Hrs  [IST]

Andhra Pradesh's pharmaceutical industry has made phenomenal progress over the years and made its impact in the global market. AP pharmaceutical industry has been recognized as a reliable source for drugs, drug intermediates and formulations. Tremendous opportunities are available for AP pharma industry in post 2005 era to manufacture and export many products getting off-patented. AP's immense strength in manufacturing quality medicines at affordable prices made it competent both in regulated and non-regulated markets. The pharma industry in general is playing a vital role in the Indian economy with Rs 14,500 crore export turnover in the year 2003-04 with a growth rate of 12%. Andhra Pradesh is the fourth largest state and its capital Hyderabad, is the hub of pharma and bulk drug industry, is the fifth largest city in India. Hyderabad achieved excellence in the fields of pharmaceuticals, healthcare, biotechnology, and information technology. AP has truly become a hub for various activities relating to pharma industry. The city is the base for leading pharma companies such as Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Aurobindo Pharma, Matrix Labs, Hetero Drugs, Natco Pharma, Neuland Labs, Gland Pharma, Sri Krishna Pharma, Divi's Labs besides many other successful companies. The bulk drug companies are constantly on the look out of overseas acquisitions and strengthening their home base. A majority of companies have US FDA and GMP approved units. It is also home for reputed research institutions such as Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics and National Institute of Nutrition. AP is also gradually getting recognized for its biotechnology sector, with prominent presence of companies such as Shantha Biotechnics, Bharat Bio, Biological Evans and Indian Immunologicals Ltd. Other companies that are in the race are Transgene Biotek, Unique Biotech, Bioserve Biotechnologies, Saamya biotech etc. Life Sciences companies such as Magene Life Sciences have also made substantial progress. Contract Research and clinical research though comparatively new fields for Hyderabad to that of the bulk drugs industry, has shown good signs of progress. The leading companies in this sector are Vimta Labs, GVK Bio Sciences and Sipra Labs. Companies like Clintox have also made their intentions clear in the sector. Suven Life Sciences betting high on CRAMS model has achieved good success, and Asian Clinical Trials is a step forward to carry clinical trials for MNCs. The herbal and natural products segments too have players like Nandan Biomatrix and Ashian Herbex. As of now there are a few but key players in the bio-informatics front. Ocimum Biosolutions and GVK Biosciences and Helix Genomics are the firms showing promising growth. Research institutions such as CDFD and IICT have also created specific divisions for bio-informatics research and services. In the diagnostic services segment, there are key players such as Elbit Diagnostics and GeneTech. The healthcare institutions also strengthen the health delivery system. The major hospitals are Apollo, Care, Global, Life, Image, Yashodha, Mediciti, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Indo-American Cancer Institute, LV Prasad Eye Institute in addition to Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, which is proposed to be upgraded on par with AIIMS, Delhi. AP also has to its credit various councils, associations and other regulatory bodies. Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council, Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers. Insurance Regulatory Development Authority is headquartered at Hyderabad. ICICI Knowledge Park and Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech Park are attracting investments from biotech, life sciences, medical diagnostics sectors. The city in particular has been the place of focus for various industry and government initiatives. US Pharmacopoeia Lab has been set up at ICICI Knowledge Park, Vimta Labs and Biological Evans are setting up their new facilities in the city, an Institute of Life Sciences with DRL funding is on the anvil, a national animal resource facility is being set up in assistance with ICMR and NIN, a biotech incubation center is being set up SP Biotech Park. Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City is soon emerging as the next major hub for pharma industry growth after Hyderabad. The Pharma City is to host manufacturing units of major pharma companies based across India. AP Government has recently proposed to establish a biotechnology SEZ near Hyderabad to meet the growing demand for infrastructure in the biotechnology front. Andhra Pradesh is set to make its mark in all the areas that concern with Pharmaceuticals, bio-pharma, contract research, clinical trials, bioinformatics, healthcare, diagnostics, high class chemical and biological research, setting benchmarks for rest of the country.

 
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