Taking cue from the successful launch of Suprax, the antibiotic for children, the Mumbai-based Lupin Ltd, is to launch two more generic drugs in the paediatric segment in the US. The abbreviated new drugs applications (ANDAs) for the drugs were submitted in the US.

Kamal Sharma, managing director, Lupin told Pharmabiz, "The new drugs will be from segments like ant-infective and dermatology and it will be in the form of a syrup. It will take at least 12-14 months for the drugs to be launched."

Suprax (cefixime), the antibiotic that belongs to the category of cephalosporins, has earned a sales revenue of $ 3.7 million in the quarter ended on December 31, 2005.

Presently, Lupin's US subsidiary, Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. has 50 representatives in the US. But Dr Sharma said that at present there were no plans to strengthen the sales force by recruiting people even if the number of drugs in the basket increased.

Apart from launching the drugs, Lupin is also eyeing the acquisition of company having better strength in the paediatric segment. "We are on the search for a US-based company, which has a strong hold in paediatric segment and we are looking for brand acquisition as well in the US," Sharma informed refusing to divulge the investment earmarked for the project.

Meanwhile, Lupin performed well during the third quarter ended December 2005 with its net profit taking a jump of 80.4 per cent to Rs 44.19 crore from Rs 24.50 crore in the corresponding period of last year. The net sales for the quarter increased by 52.7 per cent to Rs 426.90 crore from Rs 279.56 crore.