The Bangalore-based Biocon Ltd, a biotechnology conglomerate, has established significant presence in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) with its cardiac care formulations and recombinant human insulin.

"We have always been keen on CIS presence, as the regulations in the region are similar to the European Union,'' said Rakesh Bamzai, president, marketing, Biocon.

The key products exported to the region are cardiac care formulations and recombinant human insulin - Insugen. However, the company has so far not marketed its BIOMAb-EGFR, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody-based drug for treating solid tumours of epithelial origin, such as head and neck cancers. Biocon is also yet to market its comprehensive portfolio of renal therapy immunosuppressant products, including renodapt, tacrograf, cyclophil ME, rapacan and erypro in CIS.

However, the company has exported its much sought-after mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome in the region as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).

According to Bamzai, the biggest challenge in the CIS is the different regulations existing in each of the CIS countries. Apart, the time taken to seek approvals and market drugs also varies. There is a huge potential for biotech drugs and the biotech market in the region is growing between 15 and 17 per cent. The biotech drug market alone is estimated to be around $1 billion in the region.

Visible trends that are driving the market are demand for oncology and life style disorder drugs, including cardiovascular and diabetes, which also leads to increasing demand for kidney drugs.

The key issue is that there is a lack of harmonization in the CIS markets. If the market proves to have the co-ordination like the regulated regions, marketing in these countries would be easier, added, Rakesh Bamzai.