Biocon, one of the biotech majors in India, which entered the South East Asian market in 2000, is all set to strengthen its presence in the region. The company has already established its credentials in the region as a provider of biopharmaceuticals, including statins, immunosuppressants and recombinant insulin. But, what makes the company dearer in the market is its products that covers key therapeutic segments, including diabetology, cardiology and oncology.

With Insugen, its recombinant human insulin, leading from the front, Biocon's most of the drugs have yielded sound sales in the south East Asia. According to the company, during the first nine months of 2006-2007, its export to the region amounted to over 50 per cent of the total revenues. The company has reported earnings of Rs. 710 crore during the period.

Without sharing specific sales details of Insugen, Rakesh Bamzai, president, international marketing Biocon Ltd., in a telephonic interview to Pharmabiz said sales were impressive with the recombitant insulin in South East Asian region.

Referring to the regulatory process in the region, Bamzai said, "The South East Asian markets are interesting and throw open immense challenges. Each country has different regulatory authorities insisting on varied approvals, which are distinct and difficult to get through. Hence, the real test is to prove the capability of passing the regulatory tests. Though Biocon is recognized in many of the markets as a company with a technological edge, it is still awaiting regulatory clearances in certain parts of the region."

The company has well capitalized on the weak health sector that is prone to diseases, including infectious and lifestyle disorders to make the best of the markets for its biologicals and biopharmaceuticals. The company's presence in the market vary from oral anti-diabetics like acarbose, an oral oligosaccharide anti-diabetic adent for first-line or adjunctive treatment of type II diabetes mellitus, nateglinide, a novel drug designed to prevent postprandial hyperglycemia, pioglitazone for type II diabetes to repaglinide, a fast-acting, short-acting non-sulfonylurea oral hypoglycemic agent and rosiglitazone, an oral anti-diabetic agent.

In the wake of diabetes affecting nearly 10 percent of the global population above 20 years of age and type II diabetes being the most prevalent form, the company has increased its presence in the diabetic space with 'insugen', its recombinant human insulin. "Insugen accounts for almost 75 percent of the sales in Latin American, Middle East and South Asian markets," said Dr Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chairman and managing director, Biocon. With metabolic disorders and cancer on the rise, the underdeveloped and developing world is proving to be a growing concern, she added.