A joint venture of Israeli generic giant, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and US based Proctor & Gamble is planning to set up two manufacturing facilities in Sanand in Gujarat soon. The joint venture, P&G Teva will be making allopathy drugs from one plant and other will be producing Ayurveda medicines.

Through this JV, Teva Pharmaceutical will be entering the Indian market for the first time The company plans to invest Rs.250 crore in first phase and it plans to expand and step up the investment to Rs.500 crore subsequently.

With a view to get requisite know-how on the regulatory compliances and requirements for setting up a manufacturing plant in the state, a four member team led by Karin Baer, vice-president-corporate quality of Teva visited the Gujarat FDCA office on July 19. During their meeting with Dr H G Koshia, commissioner of the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) they gave a detailed agenda on their future plans for setting up this plant in the state and informed that this plant will be dedicated to cater to both the local as well as international market.

It is understood that on the same day the company also procured a 15 acre land for the projects in Sanand, which is close to the Tata's Nano plant. Out of the two plants one will be dedicated to manufacture of ayurvedic products which falls under Schedule T of the drugs and cosmetics (D&C) Act and other for allopathic drugs. Initially both the plants will be used to manufacture throat drops, inhalers and syrups etc. especially Vicks range of products which includes cough syrups, tablets, etc. and along with other over-the-counter products.

Together both the companies have over Rs.1.6 billion worth portfolio world over and thus their foray into the Indian market through this alliance is deemed to be of great importance. “We are very pleased that P> has decided to set up their manufacturing facility in the state as it will provide a huge benefit to us by way of job opportunities and worldwide recognition. We are sure that this will also pave way to other top pharma companies from across the world to come and set up their manufacturing facilities in the state which is believed to as a the pharma hub of the country,” Dr Koshia informed.

Through this venture initially the company plans to employee around 500 skilled people in the plant which is further expected to be expanded to 1000 more in course of time. Dr Koshia informed that though the company has already initiated the procedure for setting up their plant in Gujarat, it will be formally announced by the company only by start by January 2013, as all the formalities relating to land procurement and other regulatory approvals etc. are expected to be completed by then.