Karnataka’s leading pharma major Micro Labs Ltd has now ventured into the untapped hypoglycaemic market with a novel dextrose drug ‘Hypotab’. The new therapy places the company as a forerunner in the space of hypoglycaemia, a serious medical condition requiring immediate attention.

Hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar impacts diabetes patients. India is home to 62 million diabetics of which 20-25 per cent suffer from uncontrolled blood sugar levels. These patients are either on insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAs) and are at risk of hypoglycaemia episodes. Some of the common symptoms of low sugar levels are mental confusion, depression, irritability, seizures, falling unconscious and in some instances fatality. Hypoglycaemia manifests as mild, moderate and severe phases. “Now Hypotab is an ethically promoted drug for the mild to moderate hypoglycaemia conditions. It is an immediately absorbable directly acting dextrose life saver,” BR Srinath, senior vice president, Diabetes Task Force and Micro Nova, part of the Micro Labs Group,” told Pharmabiz in an interaction.

The company has invested Rs.5.5 crore for a dedicated production unit at Puducherry, with an installed capacity of one million tablets a month. The company uses the advanced AbMax technology which helps pulverize the active ingredient dextrose to about 20 micron particle size for immediate absorption into the blood stream, said Srinath.

According to the America Diabetes Association, a minimum 15 grams of sugar is to be administered to control hypoglycaemia. A strip of four Hypotab tablets is priced at Rs.19.80.

The Rs.1,646-crore Micro Labs major is targeting revenues to the tune of Rs.4.2 crore ending March 2013 from Hypotab. With the market for low blood sugar being nascent, it is confident to generate Rs.12 crore in 2013-14, and Rs.24 crore in 2014-15, according to the Micro Labs Group senior vice president.

Globally there are several hypoglycaemic drugs and drug delivery devices to control the condition, but Hyotab is a first and only standardized treatment in tablet for patients in India, said Srinath.

“It is our endeavour to innovate and offer newer remedies. Hypotab is a reiteration of our dedication in diabetic therapy, stated Dilip Surana, CMD, Micro Labs.

Dr Vijay Viswanathan, managing director, MV Hospital for Diabetes, Chennai which is also the WHO collaborating centre for research, education and training said that India is facing a huge burden of diabetes and there is great concern on the onset of hypoglycaemia episodes and related complications.

Micro Labs has 12 brands in the diabetic portfolio. Its Tripriode, Diapridem Pregator and Melmet are among the big brands.

The August 2012 MAT report estimates the Indian diabetes drug market including insulin at Rs.3,936 crore growing at 23 per cent and Insulin alone accounts for around Rs.1,000 crore. Leading companies are Abbot, USV, Sanofi, Sun, Novartis, MSD, Lupin, Eli Lilly, Micro Labs and Intas. The OHA market excluding gliptins is valued Rs.2,356 crore led by USV, Sun, Sanofi, Abbot, Lupin, Micro Labs, Intas, Franco Indian, DRL and Torrent.