Biocon India Group will shortly market a novel haematinic active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for a Europe-based bulk drug major in India. If the marketing alliance proves lucrative, Biocon would pursue for a technology tie-up with the same company. As a part of its 2003 strategy, Biocon would also keep pace with the latest trends in haematinics. It plans to enter into the stable injectable iron preparations for which it would examine the viability of R&D either through its internal support or consider outsourcing capabilities in this front. Currently, the company faces little competition in the quality haematinic API market in the country in its segment and has made a presence abroad despite major players.

Rakesh Bamzai, vice president, marketing Biocon India Group told Pharmabiz.com that haematinics was a specialised area of development for Biocon. "We are currently a leading supplier to several formulation units."

Biocon forayed into iron APIs in the late nineties when it began production of iron polymaltose and later entered the carbonyl iron segment. It has gone in for several international tie-ups in carbonyl iron segment. The recent research studies for carbonyl iron at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) reveal that the product is known for its efficacy, chemistry and impurity profile. The product has registered impressive sales in the developing countries, while in India, it has a made significant a presence.

The main reasons for Biocon's supremacy in haematinic APIs in India is its innovative methods of production resulting in high quality products. The bio-availability of irons are critical for a good end-product, noted Bamzai and added that the haematinic market holds immense potential for more brands to come in.

According to the latest ORG report the total value of the haematinic market is Rs. 441crore. Within the haematinic segment, there are several conventional iron products like ferrous sulphate, fumarate, etc that are registering a negative growth. Only carbonyl iron has emerged as a clear leader with a market value of Rs.26 crore market and registering 33 per cent growth rate. "The inherent benefits of carbonyl iron like its margin of safety over ferrous salts, freedom from side-effects and no compromise on quality have made it a clear winner in the haematinic market, pointed out Bamzai.