Zydus Research Centre (ZRC), the research and development (R&D) wing of the Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila Healthcare Ltd, has developed two lead compounds in the therapeutic area of cardiovascular, one of them a promising cholesterol reducer. The ZRC has also developed one lead compound each in the anti-bacterial and anti-arthritis segments. "One lead in the cardiovascular area is especially promising as a cholesterol reducer," Dr B. B. Lohary, president, ZRC said.

All these compounds are now put under "selected biological testing" including in rabbits. The ZRC is planning to test the cholesterol reducing agent in dogs at a foreign animal testing facility soon, in the wake of the difficulty in getting the clearances in the country, Dr Lohary added. The lead compound for arthritis treatment is precisely a TNF alpha inhibitor.

Zydus Cadila, a relatively new entrant in basic research, has already spent about Rs. 65 crore with ZRC, which began functioning last year. In addition to the initial establishment cost of Rs. 47 crore (Rs. 17 crore on building and Rs. 30 crore for equipment), the company has decided to spend Rs. 25 crore per annum for the R&D facility. The ZRC has also decided to enter into the area of new drug delivery system research.

Zydus Research Centre located at Moraiya near Ahmedabad is situated on a 150 thousand square feet of land and it has already got 140 scientists including biotechnologists, pharmacologists, experts in drug delivery, basic chemists, microbiologists and toxicologists, Dr Lohray added.