Micro Labs has bagged top slot in Karnataka pharmaceutical sector beating Cipla, Zydus Cadila, Ranbaxy and GlaxoSmithKline according to the latest ORG Moving Annual Total (MAT) ranking of top pharma companies.
The total size of the industry in Karnataka is estimated at Rs 165,967 lakh and Micro Labs registered a sales of Rs 8,861 lakh with a 12 per cent growth followed by Cipla, Zydus Cadila, Ranbaxy and GlaxoSmithKline which registered de-growth of ( -11,-2,-8,-8 respectively).
All the 11 divisions of Micro Labs which are Micro Main, Carsyon Micro Vision, Eros, Cardicare, Brown & Burke, Micro Nova, Micro Healthcare, Synapse, Forsee have done well. Last year the company was ranked No 2 and Cipla was ahead according to the MAT report. The Bangalore-based company which has a strong formulation and active pharmaceutical ingredient pipeline focuses on both chronic and acute care products. With over 300 widely accepted brands under its label and many more in the pipeline, Micro Labs has managed to grab the top slot, G Jairaj, senior vice president, marketing, Micro Labs told Pharmabiz.
Given the aggressive generic strategy adopted by Indian pharma companies, Micro Labs has made strategic investments to develop and manufacture a comprehensive product basket, together with e-business connectivity along with its aggressive sales teams that have contributed to the growth, he added.
The company is amongst the top 25 companies in the country.
Aggressive plans are in the offing to accelerate its sales momentum through a slew of brands which have been identified for major thrust for the future. These therapy areas will include cardiovascular, gynaecology, gastroenterology, dermatology, ophthalmology, neuro-psychiatry, anti diabetic, anti-microbial, antiseptics, nutraceuticals, analgesics/ antipyretics, anti malarial among others.
Present leading brands are Dolo 650 which is an anti pyretic that bagged the top slot in the South against stiff competition from brands by Dr Reddys, Ranbaxy and GlaxoSmithKline in the same segment. Anxit, which is a neuro-psychiatry drug is ranked 46th by ORG as the fastest growing brand in the country. Other well-known brands are Amlong for cardiovascular, Bactoclav, an antibiotic, Microcef, an antibiotic and Eldopar, an anti diarrhoeal. All products are only ethically promoted and are now household names, added Jairaj.
Ending March 2008, company registered an annual turnover of Rs 1,000 crore and hopes to corner an additional 20 percent growth rate in FY 2009.
Micro Labs has 11 manufacturing units and is strategically located across the country and one unit in South Africa. Efforts are also on to invest Rs 35 crore to set up a plant in Mexico. The locations in India are Hosur (2 units), Bommasandra Industrial Area (3 which includes an API unit and ophthalmic sterile plant), Veerasandra (one unit), Peenya Industrial Area (2 units), Pondicherry (1 unit), Goa (1 unit), Baddi (1 unit). These units are not only WHO GMP certified but also approved by UK-MHRA, MCC-South Africa Invima Columbia and Health Canada regulatory authorities. Currently, the company has a total personnel strength of 3,000.