The Himalaya Drug Company is planning to launch two major pharmaceutical products in the Indian market during 2007-08. Its current strength is in areas of cancer, tropical diseases and AIDS.

Himalaya's recent restructuring of pharmaceutical division has been timed with the company's growing base and changing marketing needs. Moreover, there are several brands within the therapeutic segments like Cystone, Rumalaya Forte and others, which have tremendous growth potential. Himalaya is set to explore its potential and create success stories like Liv 52.

Its current division will have three new strategic business units (SBUs) termed Zenith, Zandra and Zindel. These have been formed with the aim of providing greater structure to their wide range of pharma products and equitable distribution of the marketing force.

Speaking to Pharmabiz, Saket Gore, business head, consumer products division, said, "We have filed 17 global patents for our pharma and personal care products. Two major products in the pharma segment are expected to be launched in 2007-2008. Himalaya also has a number of products under clinical trials. Our drug for Hepatitis B is undergoing clinical studies at six centres. Additional six centres will come under the trials soon. Encouraging cell line animal studies are going on for breast and colonic cancer. Our products are also undergoing extensive clinical studies at leading international centres including the renowned Mayo Clinic".

The three divisions will not only deal with different types of products but will also look at portfolio segmentation based on doctor specialties. First division Zenith will have GP's, surgeons, paediatricians and ENT specialists. The second division Zandra will cover gynaecologists, physicians, surgeons, orthopaedists and derma products. The division Zindel will have lifestyle products, Pure herbs and baby care- targeted mainly at general practitioners and paediatricians.
These divisions with respect to the medical fraternity are going to help. The company is planning on increasing its doctor outreach from the current 1.5 lakh to 3 lakh out of the 7 lakh doctors in India.

The pharma restructuring is currently restricted to Himalaya's India business. After the restructuring, company will be looking at an annual growth of 30 per cent in Zenith and Zandra and a 40 per cent growth in Zindel. It is also looking at implementing a similar structure in the Russian market.

The company has recently launched several therapeutic products in Singapore. The first phase of the product launch in Singapore included products for disorders in immunology and pulmology, rheumatology and bone, dermatology, and gynaecology. All products will be marketed ethically, making Himalaya the first company to promote herbal therapeutics through the mainstream ethical channel in the Singapore market.