Himalaya Drug Company, a Bangalore based Rs.1000 crore leading herbal health and personal care major, has launched Liv.52 HB, the first herbal drug for the effective management of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Liv.52 HB exerts antiviral activity and enhances the antioxidant defense system. The drug is an US patent – pending phytopharmaceutical formulation that is recommended for the treatment of HBV.
As per ORG-MIS report, the overall HBV infection treatment market size in India is Rs.216 crore and it is growing at the rate of 21 per cent every year. The current allopathic available treatments include antivirals, interferons and immunoglobins. The treatments are known to have significant side effects, which include nephrotoxicity, neurovegetative symptoms and anaemia. Drug resistance is extremely common during or after the treatment. This treatments cost around Rs.10,000 to Rs.one lakh for a six-month treatment.
The efficacy rates of Live.52 HB are comparable to available allopatic treatments and without any side effects. Further Himalaya Drug product is an affordable therapy costing only Rs.4,680 for the six month treatment.
Philipe Haydon, CEO, Pharmaceutical, Himalaya Drug, said, “ Our flagship brand, Live.52 is already widely prescribed for Hepatitis A. We felt that we could use this knowledge and understanding to explore a drug for HBV infection. Available treatments, while effective, come with serious side effects and are very costly. We wanted to develop a drug that would be as effective as allopathic treatments, in addition be free of side effects and affordable.”
Dr Pralhad Patki, head-medical services & clinical trials, said, “Research for HBV infection drug began 14 years ago. We screened over 100 herbal before finding the right composition to treat HBV infection. Our drug development process follows all allopathic protocols that are required to ensure safety and efficacy, as per the World Health Organization guidelines.
Studies on Liv.52 HB have been published in Antiviral Research and World Journal of Gastroenterology, amongst other. Ravi Prasad, executive chairman of Himalaya Drug said that the company is focusing on its own R&D and not planning to enter into any tie-up with other entities or any takeover. The new brand will capture market share of 20 per cent with revenues of Rs.10 crore in next 12-18 months. At present around 40 product are in pipeline. The original Live.52 brand is generating revenues of Rs.137 crore with growth of 13 per cent.