Biocon is gearing up for an aggressive expansion of its activities in the Japanese market. The company intends to increase its customer base in the region.

Currently, the Biocon is present in Japan through partnerships and has tie-ups with various innovator companies in the region, stated Rakesh Bamzai, President, Marketing- Pharma, Biocon Limited.

The company's exports comprise statins, anti diabetic and its one-year old new generation bio-insulin, Insugen. This world's first recombinant human (r-DNA) insulin, which is developed using a unique Pichia Expression, has already found an entry into Middle East, South East Asia and Latin America part from the regulated markets.

As regards their business model in Japan, Biocon is on a partnership mode. This is primarily because Japan is a difficult market in terms of regulatory approvals. However, the company has been able to create an impact with its class of products, informed Bamzai.

The total export earnings of Biocon is Rs 200 crore in 2005-06 but the earnings from Japanese market was not disclosed.

"We intend to focus a lot on Japan with innovative products and our strategy is to increase our presence in the region. With the recently inaugurated Biopharmaceutical facility at the Biocon Park in Bangalore which has a world class cell culture Module for Monoclonal Antibodies, part from an Aseptic Formulation & Filling Module for sterile products, it will be much easier for the company to increase its presence in Japan, added Bamzai.

The trends in the Japanese market indicate that there will be transition from branded formulations to generics. Today, generics form 10 per cent of the total pharma products and the growth expected from this is estimated to be between 7-10 per cent, he stated.

The key problems in the market are the tough regulatory clearances in terms of quality and specifications which includes accurate dossier presentations.

The pharma market in Japan is traditional and research driven with an increased demand for biotech products and dietary supplements. There is also a huge requirement for branded biotech products and nutraceuticals from India. This is where Biocon intends to capitalise its quality strengths and strengthen its presence, added Bamzai.