The Mumbai based USV Ltd has planned to set up a new injectable plant at Daman with the total investment of Rs 45 crore. The plant is expected to be commissioned by early March 2008.

Talking to Pharmabiz, Prashant Tiwari, managing director, said, "Our new imminent injectable plant at Daman is the major expansion for the next two year. Currently, for the domestic market we have 15 products in the pipeline as well as 35 products for the international market. We are appointing around 50 scientist for the Daman plant".

The company enjoys strong leadership position in the anti diabetic and cardiovascular segment in India. USV has also entered into JV and formed an entity called Indicus Pharma in the US, which has major business activity in the international market. "Two months ago we have finalised our marketing deal with Takeda, a Japanese multinational company. We have invested Rs 135 crore during the last three years and now expanding capacity of our API plant at Chiplun. We are strengthening our R&D activities by investing around Rs 20 crore in new facility which is set to be operational by May 2007," he further added.

USV has a US FDA approved plant for APIs at Chiplun. "The plant was set up for manufacturing various APIs, which are exported to the various countries. Currently 200 scientists are working and we have filed 40 patents so far, of which 4 patents are in the field of biotechnology. We have received 19 patents. The company has generated a turnover of Rs 633 crore in the current year, Debabrata Gupta, director and chief operating officer said.

In the area of biotechnology research, USV offers rDNa proteins and peptides backed by validated bioassays, clinical trials and intellectual property rights. USV invests 5 per cent of sales revenue every year in research. The company has won several patents on its process and products. Two of its rDNA proteins Neseritide and hGH are in pre clinical stage of development and are expected to be commercialised post 2008.