The Mumbai based USV, has planned an investment of Rs 20 crore to strengthen the existing research centre at Mumbai. The new research building is expected to commission in the month of June 2007.

While talking with Pharmabiz, Prashant Tiwari, managing director, said, "We are expanding our research centre from 50,000 sq. ft to 1,05,000 sq ft with the total investment of Rs 20 crore at Mumbai. We are completely shifting our old chemical process research lab (CPRL) to new research centre".

The company has made substantial investment of Rs 144 crore in the last 3 years for the infrastructure and R&D. Along with setting up a new biologics facility at New Mumbai.

The company's state of the art activity worked, by a highly qualified team of 34 Doctors and 149 postgraduates. The existing facility has recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.

In the area of research, USV offers rDNA proteins and peptides backed by validated bioassays and intellectual property rights. The company has been awarded 15 patents and 28 patents have been filed including 4 patents in the field of biotechnology.

"We have also established our presence in the international market as the largest generics manufacturer of metformin worldwide. We have also invested in a pilot biologics. Currently, we have around 14-15 products in pipeline", he further added.

The company has major focus area on API, finished products, generics and branded generics, peptides and biotherapeutics In India; USV holds leadership position in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Its strategy is to introduce innovative specialised products. The company have been successful in developing therapeutic peptide and proteins by recombinant and chemical synthesis using non-infringing process. These includes hGH, rhPDGF, G-CSF, iL-2, teriparatide and nesiritide which have been developed by using recombination DNA technology and eptifibatide, bivalirudin by chemical synthesis.