MSD Pharmaceuticals, the wholly-owned subsidiary of global leader Merck, has entered into the cardiovascular segment with the launch of 'zocor' (simvastatin) and is planning to tap the potentials in the biologicals in the coming years with the target of emerging as one of the top five players in the country by 2015.

"We have a strong pipeline and we are hoping to launch at least 13 products in the coming two years in the areas of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, novel vaccines, obesity, oncology, pain and sleep disorders. We are now already in the therapeutic areas of critical care, metabolics and vaccines and entered cardiovascular segment," MSD managing director Naveen A Rao told Pharmabiz.

"Going for the biologicals is a global initiative of the company and we have already acquired GlycoFi which has a platform. We are looking at all options including acquisitions, partnerships or technology transfer also in India to follow up this and get into biological spectrum," he said on the sidelines of a media workshop in Udaipur recently.

He also disclosed that the company, which has already four tie-ups with leading firms like Ranbaxy and Piramal for research, would be looking for more such ventures in the coming years. On establishing own manufacturing facility, he said the company was able to sell the products even after importing the drugs and would think of setting up facility, depending on the volume of business. "As of now, there is no need for the same as we can meet the demand," he said.

MSD has also launched a number of patient-targeted helplines under the banner of SPARSH for those taking its drugs in the metabolic and cardiovascular areas. Based out of Hyderabad and funded by MSD, the SPARSH gives constant counselling, guidance, risk analysis, motivation over phone and collection of samples for tests, all free of cost. The CRM, equipped with 30 counsellors, covers the entire country and it is expected to be extended overseas too soon. The company has already reached out to 3000 physicians and will be covered about 20,000 physicians, who would refer the patients to the system, by March, company officials said.

Likewise, it has a similar system for cardiovascular patients also.
The company which launched gardasil vaccine against cervical cancer has also launched Guard Yourself Centres to impart awareness against the deadly disease with the help of dedicated centres, public campaigns, websites, TV campaigns by roping in celebrities. It has already set up 2000 centres and will set up another 3000 by the end of this year to cover maximum number of women and girls.