The Thrissur based Thaikkattu Mooss E T M Oushadashala (India) Ltd., one of the oldest ayurveda treatment and drug manufacturing firm from the traditional family of Ashtavaidyas of Kerala, is set to expand its R&D facilities to focus more on patented drug market along with plans to set up an exclusive ayurveda treatment resort.

The expansion plans with an estimate of Rs 50 lakh includes augmenting the already existing R&D unit with an investment of Rs 10 lakh to introduce five patented products by the end of the current fiscal. The company has already commenced research projects focusing diabetes and related disease and will accelerate the functions by the completion of the R&D expansion within three to six months, according to M Jayakumar, Director, Thaikkattu Mooss E T M Oushadashala (India) Ltd.

Plans for setting up a resort exclusively for Ayurvedic treatment is also in initial stage and the company has acquired a 13-acre land at Irinjalakkuda for the resort and a herbarium. "The major share of the estimated investment is for the resort, in which we differ from the usual trend of setting up resorts as wellness centres. We are planning to come up with a resort exclusively for treatment, which should go hand in hand with the environment according to the traditional books," Jayakumar explained.

The company has initiated the operations for a herbarium in August 2006, by setting up 100 plant varieties in the resort area including plants mentioned in the ICUN check list and those figured in the red data book. Jayakumar maintained that there are plans to cultivate around 300 varieties of medicinal plants by the year 2007 for in-house usage. The company has submitted appeals for financial assitance from the National Medicinal Plants Board under Department of AYUSH, Government of India to set up the herbarium.

E T M Oushadhasala is also planning a marketing expansion by increasing the number of franchisees and drug outlets in more parts of the country once the R&D accomplishes development of the new products. The company has already 12-patented products including drugs for diabetes treatment, cough syrup, pain balm, a product for rejuvenation therapy etc. and around 330 odd Ayurveda drugs.

Established in 1914 as E T M Vaidyasala, an organized venture, the firm has registered as a public limited company by 1999 eyeing a major role in the Ayurveda treatment sector and drug industry. The company is claimed to be the first company from the Ashtavaidya Ayurvedic Pharmacies in Kerala to get both GMP certification and ISO 9001: 2000 certification.