The Mumbai-based Swati Spentose Pvt Ltd (SSPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the contract research and manufacturing firm Euresian Group, is all set to launch a range of specialised equine healthcare products for race horses in the beginning of 2010 under its veterinary division.

The company has set up a manufacturing plant with an investment of Rs 50 crore at Vapi, Gujarat, to produce both veterinary and human healthcare products. It has also entered into partnership with three overseas firms, Nutramex from US, PDI Pharma from Canada and Agrucure from Australia for manufacturing and marketing their equine healthcare products in India and nearby nations. The company will be focusing on the preventive healthcare of race horses with a range of nutritional and pharmaceutical products. With this, the company will be the first and the only dedicated equine healthcare and nutrition platform, said Vishal Jajodia, CEO, Swati Spentose.

“The equine healthcare market in India is highly fragmented and unorganised. Our estimation is that the market will be around Rs 100 crore at present and we expect to grab Rs 50 crore market in the segment in next three to five years,” said Jajodia. He added that the first products will be launched in the Indian market by January, next year, and plans are to expand the product basket to 20 products by the end of 2010.

The range of products ready to launch includes Pentorse injection for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain and related musculoskeletal disorders and non-infectious inflammatory joint disease, Indorse paste and gel with potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, Bruisecaine spray, gel and injection for use as local anesthesia for the management of pain and inflammation and also, an antiarrhythmic agent.

Dflam roll-on and gel to calm swellings, relieve inflammation and assist healing, eQgard to promote healing from Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, Sweat Again to treats Anhydrosis by enabling sweating in horses, Calming Paste, a natural combination of vitamins and herbal extracts which reduces excitability during travel & restlessness and Naturally Bute to provide natural anti-inflammatory that can even be administered on race day are some of the other products in the basket.

SSPL is looking for various distribution options to reach the products to the target, since the equine healthcare distribution set up in India is next to nill. There are around 7000 to 8000 race horses in the country and most of the times, the drugs used to treat equine diseases are imported or smuggled from foreign countries, said Dr John Gladson, equine heath expert and general manager of Ramz Al Sharq Equine Services in Saudi Arabia who is on the Board of Advisors for Swati Spentose’s Veterinary Division.

“I am delighted to support Swati Spentose in their efforts to bring international practices and products in equine care and wellness to India. Except some common disease drugs, there are no speciality products manufactured or marketed in India for equine health and the company's move will provide essential products to horses in a competitive price,” he added.

The equine healthcare portfolio of SSPL will be supported by 10 eminent consultants from US, Canada and Australia and the product will also be marketed in Middle East soon. Further, the company is also developing three new molecules in pain management segment for human healthcare, of which one could have use for veterinary purposes too, said Jajodia.

SSPL, at present, has a presence in 54 countries worldwide and its parent firm, Euresian group, is one of the oldest companies in India in the space of bringing to market innovative pharmaceutical products and advanced drug research. SSPL has formulated a unique cutting-edge technology in the development of bio-generics like Low Molecular Weight Polysaccharides and Oligosaccharides.