The Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company Gufic Biosciences is investing around Rs 18 crore for upgrading its existing facility at Navsari, Gujarat. The company is setting up a separate manufacturing unit for oncology products in the existing facility as per the WHO GMP guidelines. The commercial production will begin from mid-February 2008.

Speaking to Pharmabiz, Pranav Choksi, business director, said, "We are investing Rs 15-18 crore for the upgradation of our existing manufacturing facility in Gujarat. So far, we have invested close to Rs 10 crore and remaining amount will be utilised by the end of December 2008. We are setting up a separate manufacturing unit for the oncology products. The inspection of oncology molecule was completed by the FDA and we are targeting to start commercial operation within next two weeks' time".

Gufic's manufacturing facility encompasses four main functional areas like formulation development, analytical development, packaging development and documentation. A unique integrated approach has been adopted wherein formulation development work is actively supported by analytical development and packaging development functions.

It is equipped with sophisticated lab/pilot scale machines to simulate production conditions for development of all dosage forms e.g. tablets, capsules, dry syrups, dispersible tablets, etc. The formulation development labs have been designed to include both lab scale development work as well as pilot scale development work. The lab scale facility is equipped for development of all types of conventional pharmaceutical dosage forms.

The company has strong presence in various therapeutic areas like pharma, herbal/ayurvedic, consumer products and personal hygiene products. Currently, the company's 10-12 products are ready for commercialisation and 5-6 more products are in pipeline. Its research and development centre has been designed to meet the challenges of the emerging global market, as well as the domestic market requirement.