Biocon launches a basket of renal therapy products

Bangalore, Mar 8 (UNI) Indian biotech major Biocon today announced its foray into the nephrology segment, launching five renal therapy products and aiming to emerge leader in the segment in five years.

Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw told newspersons at the launch by Infosys Foundation Chairperson Sudha Murthy that the company would have at least 25 per cent market share in Nephrology medicine in five years. Currently, the market size was Rs 300 crore and was registering a 20 per cent annual growth.

She said the company would also take these drugs to countries across the world, with the initial thrust being in the Middle East, South East Asia, Latin America and neighbouring countries. ''Later, we will tackle the regulated countries.'' Worldover, renal drugs have a market of 3.3 billion Dollars, she added.

The new immunosuppressants for renal therapy include Renodapt, Tacrograf, Cyclophil ME, Rapacan and Erypro. Immunosuppressants were powerful medicines that inhibit or prevent the activity of the body immune system.

Ms Mazumdar-Shaw said the new nephrology division offered the most scientifically configured and comprehensive portfolio of renal therapy. More drugs would come in the future as the company would diversify the portfolio, tackling even specific needs. ''Biocon is poised to be a high quality player in the nephrology market with the most balanced portfolio of brands.'' The cost of some of the drugs was 30 to 40 per cent lower than those being sold by multinationals in the country.

She said every year 100,000 people add to the number of patients having renal disorders, contributed mostly by diabetes. Currently, only 20 per cent of these patients could afford treatment such as renal transplant or dialysis.

She said the company aimed at doubling its R and D spend of around Rs 60 crore next year as it was taking up research on a diverse field of drugs.

This is the third segment Biocon would be addressing, after oncology and cardio diabetes.

UNI