Wockhardt plans to unveil two drugs next year

Drugmaker major Wockhardt plans to introduce two new products - recombinant Human Insulin and Interferon alpha 2b - in the domestic market next year.

''We have developed recombinant human insulin for treating diabetes and the product is undergoing clinical trials. We are expecting it to be in the market in the first half of 2003,'' said Wockhardt Chairman Habil Khorakiwala.

''Interferon alpha 2b used for the treatment of individuals with chronic hepatitis C, also undergoing clinical testing, is planned for launch in the country later,'' Khorakiwala said.

He said in four years of launching company's New Drug Discovery programme, Wockhardt has completed pre-clinical work of a life-saving MRSA responsive anti-infective (WCK-771), which has shown superior results compared to existing drugs such as Vancomycin and Linezolid.

This proprietary drug of Wockhardt has entered Phase-I human clinical trial.

With wide bactericidal coverage, including MRSA, VISA/GISA and gram negative bacteria, WCK-771 has great potential as a life-saving antibacterial in multiple drug resistant and hospital-acquired infections, he added.

Continuing with its thrust on anti-infectives, the research team has two other lead molecules in the pipeline, Khorakiwala said in the company's annual report 2001.

Of these, WCK-919 will be effective in treating a broad spectrum of respiratory pathogens, especially pneumococci. The company will file an investigational new drug application soon, he added.

UNI