Otsuka sets up drug unit in Rajasthan: production to start next week

Kotputli, Rajasthan, May 16 (UNI) With production facilities in place, Otsuka Chemical India Ltd (OCIL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japanese pharma major Otsuka Chemical Co, will commence production of the bulk drug intermediate GCLE from next week.

The automated manufacturing facility, spread over 20 acres in Keshwana Rajput village in Kotputli Tehsil, entails an investment of Rs 150 crore.

The facility will be dedicated in the manufacturing of GCLE, an advance Cephalosporin antibiotic intermediate, used for the production of many life saving Cephalosporin antibiotics.

OCIL Managing Director Hiroyoshi Tosa told visiting correspondents that Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) has been supportive in setting up the plant, acting as a facilitator in getting approvals and sorting out other bureaucratic hassles.

The plant with a capacity of 500 tonnes annually will cater to clients like Ranbaxy, Lupin, Nectar and Auribindo.

The chemical will be available for 115 dollar per kilogram and the company plans to meet the 600-700 tonnes of market requirement in the country.

Talking about future plans, Mr Tosa said the 10-billion-dollar parent company will set up a second facility in 10 acres of land near the present plant with an estimated investment of Rs 100 crore.

''The second facility will increase the capacity of manufacturing to 1,000 tonnes'' Mr Tosa added.

''The setting up of Otsuka chemical plant will now pave the way for other pharma companies to set up their plant in the state,'' RIICO Managing Director Kuldeep Ranka said.

The setting up of Japanese companies in Rajasthan will strengthen relations between Japan and India, Mr Ranka added.

''Due to the setting up of multi-national companies in the state, about 8,000-10,000 local people are getting employment,'' Mr Ranka said.

Asked if the recent terrorist attacks in the state had affected the corporate environment in any way, Mr Ranka said it does not affect the investments being made in the state in any way. However, people definitely get apprehensive in the beginning, he added.

UNI PDT HS KN2042