Roche Diagnostics, the diagnostics division of Switzerland-based healthcare major Roche, has announced its plans to expand its operations in India with major investments and product launches with focus on the emerging personalised medicines market.
Roche Diagnostics India (RDI), the Indian arm of the global leader in in vitro diagnostics, will focus on Oncology and Cardiology markets in India for its future growth, according to the company officials. The Rs 240 crore RDI is expected to launch a number of products including its innovative diagnostics tests - K-RAS mutation test, NT-proBNP, HER2 SISH assay, EGFR test and anti-CCP test in India soon.
The K-RAS mutation test, for early detection of K-RAS mutations which are frequently found in human cancers and occur in 35 to 45 per cent of the metastatic colorectal cancer, is expected to be launched in India in March 2009. Further, the company is planning to launch its NT-proBNP test, an objective marker for the accurate diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure, in the country soon.
"According to reports, in the next two years, 60 percent of all the heart diseases in the world would be in India. The NT-proBNP test is particularly pertinent in India in this context. Our strategy is to focus on the personalised medicines market with such products," said Roland Diggelman, managing director, Asia Pacific Region, Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) test, to diagnose various somatic mutations in the EGFR in lung cancer patients which supports Roche's small molecule cancer drug Tarceva, will be launched in the country by the end of 2009. The HER2 SISH assay - an automated enzyme metallographic silver in situ hybridization method (SISH) to successfully determine human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene amplification - which came into Roche's product basket through its acquisition of Ventana Medical Systems (Ventana) in early 2008, will also be introduced in India soon. The mission is to bring in innovative diagnostic products with an affordable cost to the customers, he added.
"The Indian healthcare market is expected to grow high with the estimated increase in population and the remarkable economic growth which has improved the condition of middle class citizen," said Dr Bhuwnesh Agrawal, chairman and managing director, head of South Asia operations, RDI Pvt Ltd. Of course, there are challenges like ensuring quality including standardisation and automation in the laboratory industry, but the company would continue to invest in India as there is a vast opportunity in the view, he added.
The company will also introduce a fully automated facility for immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the country for testing various cancer related mutations. The company officials refused to comment on the size of investments though asserted that considerable fundings would be allocated for expansion of operations.
RDI, which has recorded 55.6 million Swiss Francs' (CHFs') sales turnover (approximately Rs240 crore) in 2008, is growing at 30 per cent per annum - twice the market growth of Indian diagnostics market - informed Agrawal. The country contributed 11.7 per cent of the in vitro diagnostics business of Roche Diagnostic Asia Pacific in 2008, said Diggelmann. The Asia Pacific division has recorded CHF826 million turnover in the year.