Nectar Life Sciences Ltd, a leading manufacturer and exporter of sterile cephalosporins and sterile semi synthetic penicillin in India, is planning a major expansion by investing in new projects worth more than Rs 100 crore.

Speaking to Pharmabiz, Sanjiv Goyal, managing director, Nectar Lifesciences, said, "We intend to invest in our formulations facility at Baddi and our upcoming sterile cephalosporin US FDA approvable plant. Also, we would invest in research and development and corporate quality control centre. We would like to strengthen areas like phytochemicals, contract research and custom synthesis. Phytochemicals will be fully integrated with Greenfield operations with our own cultivation of speciality herbs, extraction and purification thus offering best quality herbal products".

Nectar is already in discussion with many MNC's for their custom manufacturing projects and expects to finalise the agreements shortly. The current expansion plan underway would enable the company to increase presence in the cephalosporin segment and enter the non-antibiotic segment.

"We aim to build our presence in the high value generic markets, for which, we would like to increase our contract research and manufacturing services for the regulated markets. This market is estimated to be a $30 billion by 2010, led by increased outsourcing and a large number of drugs going off- patent," elaborated Goyal.

Further, the company has set up and commercialised a manufacturing facility for pharma MNC for key intermediate of a non-cephalosporin active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The market potential for this therapeutic group is about USD 5 billion. This facility is US FDA, UK MCA and other regulatory bodies compliant and it is expected to get the approval soon, said the company sources.

Nectar is one of the few companies in India having facilities to manufacture oral and sterile bulk drugs. Nectar is one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of sterile cephalosporins and sterile semi synthetic penicillin's in India.