PharmaMatch India, part of Netherlands-based PharmaMatch BV, is aiming to bridge the gap between European and Indian pharmaceutical companies. The company plans to assist European pharmaceutical companies by improving their margins on generic products by transferring their production to India and source active pharmaceutical ingredients from India to European markets, Irfan Vazirally, country head-India, PharmaMatch BV, said.

It will also find Indian partners to develop new products jointly with European companies and on the other hand find European partners for Indian manufacturers who wish the market their products in the European markets. Three Indian pharmaceutical companies have shown interest to produce for Dutch pharma companies to serve European markets.

PharmaMatch will primarily represent dossier development companies, and will help in supply of pharmaceutical active materials, production transfers and co-development of generic dossiers. It can assist in the conversion of dossiers by participating as a co-developer, taking responsibility for dealing with European regulations, Vazirally said.

A significant number of European Pharmaceutical companies are willing to shift their development, sourcing of materials and manufacturing activities to India to improve their margins. At the same time, Indian pharma companies involved in the development and manufacturing are keen to establish their presence in Europe and have upgraded their facilities to meet international standards.

Vazirally explained, generics prescriptions are increasing steadily in Europe, competition is becoming intense and MNC margins are falling. The fiercely competitive European markets have forced generic marketing companies to cut the price of mature generics in order to maintain their market share. India can be of help to these European companies. India has skills that match European needs and cGMP facilities that can manufacture products of international quality at competitive prices. Co-development of products can be taken up by both sides.

PharmaMatch BV is founded by two technocrats, Jair Eisenmann and Lodewijk Moens, in Netherlands. The company has long standing relationships with European pharmaceutical companies. It has opened a liaison office in Bangalore, dedicated to transfer of mature generic product manufacturing to India. It has launched a joint venture company called D & C Pharma with an office in Leshan, Sichuan province, China in 2004, where DMFs are prepared and registered with the EDQM and the FDA. APIs are being produced under GMP conditions in China.