Natco is setting up an integrated facility for the manufacture of anti-cancer drugs and formulations. The Chennai based facility of the company conforming to the US FDA and UK MCA norms will begin the production by last quarter of 2004. Formulations will be both in oral and parenteral forms.

The company has lined up launch of a couple of products in the oncology segment which include a product to treat advanced cancer which is awaiting DCGI approval and is likely to be received by the end of this calendar year. Some launches are also expected in the neurology and urology segment.

Research based upon molecular modeling techniques initiated by the company during the past two years, has resulted in synthesizing 20 lead compounds primarily in the fields of anti-cancer, anti-ulcer and anti-depressant segments.

They are in the process of screening and will further be awaiting pre-clinical trials. One molecule based on rDNA technology has come off the lab and advancing into pre-clinical trials and one product based on peptide synthesis is about to complete the lab work, whereas one fermentation based drug for use in organ transplant is also coming through the lab.

Natco has become the second company in the pharma segment of South India to file the largest number of applications for Indian patents. A total of 62 patents have been filed in the field of bulk actives, formulations and natural products, of which 45 are Indian patent applications and 17 are international applications. The company has been granted one US patent in 2002, three Indian patents are granted in the current year.