The Himalaya Drug Company has filed 17 global patents for its pharma and personal care products. Out of these patents filed, two major products in the pharma segment are expected to be launched in 2007-08 and one in the personal care is expected to be introduced before the end of the year.

The company has now adopted molecular technology for its product development. The technology helps to primarily identify efficacious and safe herbs through plant fracination methods. In the last six years, research is on to utilize single herbs than multi herbs for drug preparations. "With molecular technology we are able to precisely assess content of the bulk active and its method of action on the skin with personal health care products like creams and lotions," Dr. SK Mitra, Executive Director, Research & Technical Services, The Himalaya Drug Company told Pharmabiz. "Using molecular technology we have developed potential drug and filed for patents," he added.

Himalaya has also a slew of products under clinical trials. Its drug for Hepatitis B is undergoing human studies at six centres covering 1,500 patients and the trial is being extended to an additional six centres in the north, west and east India. The oncology drug encouraging cell line animal studies are going on for breast and colonic cancers. Mentat for depression and anxiety has completed Phase III trials at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS). For the trials, polysomnography was adopted at the hospital to trace improvements in the patients after the drug was administered using the EEG.

In the area of animal healthcare, Himalaya Drug Company has a 20 percent market share of the Rs. 70 crore herbal veterinary drug market in the country. Its Liv 52 which the leading hepatoprotective metabolic stimulant and production enhancer is the fastest growing among its range of drugs for livestock, pet and poultry.

Among its growth drivers in the human pharma products, Liv 52, Himalaya Forte (anti inflammatory) and Cystone for kidney stones and urinary tract infection are registering significant growth.

In the area of infrastructure expansion, the company's much-awaited Bidadi project in the outskirts of Bangalore at an investment of Rs. 165 crore on the 200 acre KIADB land is yet to take off. Plans were to set up an R&D centre in the first phase of construction followed by an Export Oriented Unit. The project is not shelved but is expected to take off any time, stated Dr. Mitra.

In order to capitalize on the excise duty on MRP imposed by the Union government early last year, the company is now outsourcing its liquids from a facility in the North India.

The company has 92 'Himalaya Herbal Healthcare' retail store which includes the outlet at the Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia which is located amidst well-known global stores. Its exports have also recorded impressive sales but no details were disclosed.

As a part of its growing popularity with its range of products, the company commissioned its Customer Relationship Management software in January 2004. With its all its 92 stores are electronically linked to the CRM cell assisted by a panel of five doctors located at Makali on the Tumkur Road, Bangalore which is the location of its headquarters. To date Himalaya Drug Company has a total strength of 2000 employees.