Salveo Life Sciences Limited, which is a dedicated herbal marketing company in the country, is looking at international market foray with its latest product Ostranil, a multi-pronged approach in arthritis management in capsule and gel form. The company is also looking at marketing tie-ups to increase its reach in India and abroad.

In India, Ostranil capsule and ointment have been doing well. Since its launch six months ago, the product is already the fastest growing for the company in terms of sales.

The key factor for success is its efficacious contents to manage osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, spondylosis and Ankylosing spondylitis.

"For Ostranil, we have documented evidence through extensive experimental and preclinical data to prove the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. In addition, it is also clinically validated for efficacy and safety. Clinical trials have been completed in Canada and Germany. This will allow us to register the products in many countries. By early 2010, we should be able to address the global market needs, Sudheer S marketing manager, Salveo Life Sciences told Pharmabiz.

Clinical trials have been conducted for both Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis in India and abroad on 500 patients at four facilities. These are the Kolkatta-based Vishwanath Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Technishe Universitat Munchen, Germany and KGK Synergize Inc, Ontario, Canada. A second trail on 92 patients was held at the Aurangabad and Kolkatta Ayurveda hospitals. The results have shown significant improvement in pain, stiffness and redness in majority of patients within six weeks.

Each capsule contains documented herbs like Hemidesmus indicus, Moringa pterygosperma, Ricinus communis, Tinospora cordifolia and Boerrhavia diffusa. These ingredients not only help to control pain but also maintain the health of the joints. The company has also released Ostranil gel to strengthen the action of Ostranil capsule.

The size of the herbal drugs market for arthritis is around Rs 90 crore and growing at 15 per cent annually. Leading names in the segment are The Himalaya Drug Company which holds the leadership status with its brand Rumalaya. Other players are Dabur, Charak, Anglo French Herbals, Bal Vedics along with traditional Ayurveda units run by Vaidyas besides small players from the unorganized space.

The Bangalore-based Salveo has around 22 ethical products addressing general health and chronic conditions for GI, respiratory, skin care, Urology and women's health. In the derma segment Akpre for acne management, Melatru for melasma and Presoria for dandruff target the herbal cosmetic market. The company's flagship product 'Tuswas' for dry and productive cough has garnered monthly sales of 40,000 bottles.

It has a strong presence in the states of North and East states, besides parts of the Central, Western region. In the South, it is present in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. "We are making concerted efforts to increase our reach from Bangalore to the entire state of Karnataka, informed Sudheer.

The company has inked a partnership deal for production of its products with Surya Herbals, Noida and Herbicure Kolkotta. The Surya Herbal unit has been built according to European Union norms and Scheduled T standards. The Herbicure plant is WHO GMP and ISO certified. It has also teamed-up with national and international institutes for research and clinical trials.