Shasun Chemical and Drugs Ltd, the world's largest manufacturer of ibuprofen, is setting up a new plant in the special economic zone of the pharma city in Vishakhapatnam. The company is investing around Rs 10 crore and operation is likely to start by December 2006.

Speaking with Pharmabiz S Vimal Kumar, joint managing director of Shasun Chemical and Drugs Ltd, said, "We have taken up the land at Vishakhapatnam which is part of the special economic zone (SEZ). The work on the project will be completed by December 2006 and soon after the manufacture of bulk drugs will begin. We are also planning to invest Rs 100 crore for our expansion plan. We are in the process of tie-ups with some MNCs."

The company has completed its first ever acquisition of Rhodia Pharma Solution business during April 2006. The acquisition of the business of Rhodia Pharma solution by the wholly owned subsidiary Shasun Pharma Solution, transform Shasun into a technology based solutions provider from mere contract research and manufacturing facility.

This acquisition has provided the capability to backward integrate manufacturing process and divert manufacturing of initial steps to India.

Shasun has received UK and Canada approval for its formulation facility at Pondichery. The company has also started exports to the European countries. Formulation development is working on several products for US, Canada and Europe. Two ANDA dossiers have been submitted so far. The company had filed 12 DMFs so far and received US FDA approval for all.

Shasun put up a new formulation unit to cater direct supply to their clients with the finished dosage instead of bulk products. It is doing contract research manufacturing for MNCs like Abbott Laboratories and Aventis pharma as well as Indian companies. The company has partnership with Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and Alpharma Ltd.

The company's new R&D facility, named as Shasun Research centre on the outskirts of Chennai, has the potential to take up to three times more research projects than those being handled currently. The R&D centre will cater to companies growing synthesis, contract research and in the pilot stages of contract manufacturing activities.