Ahmedabad-based Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd will foray into the biotech drugs market with the launch of G-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) by June following necessary approvals from the Department of Biotechnology and other regulatory authorities, according to the company officials.

This will be followed by the launch of erythropoietin, interferon, interleukins and human growth hormones, said R. Chandrasekaran, vice- president, marketing, Intas Pharma. “We estimate a domestic market size of Rs. 95 crore for G-CSF, erythropoietin and interferon. Intas would be launching two biotech products every year,” he said.

Intas has bought the technology to manufacture from overseas, he said. The company has a ready to produce manufacturing facility with a capacity of 8,000 sq. ft near Ahmedabad.

“We initially plan to export our biotech products to 11 countries in South East Asia, and Latin America. The market size estimated within these countries is $ 97 million,” said the Intas official.

Intas is expecting revenue of Rs. 100 crore in the next three years from its biotech activities. Out of this, Rs. 30 crore is expected to be generated from exports. For the year ended March 2003, Intas Pharma turnover reached Rs. 300 crore and is growing at about 20 per cent.