Sandoz in local outsourcing plan

Sandoz, a Novartis group company, is evaluating manufacturing and outsourcing activities in India to optimise capabilities for its global market requirements.

Andreas Rummelt, chief executive officer, on his maiden visit to India after assuming the position in November 2004, said in Mumbai on Wednesday that while exploring sourcing capabilities in India for the world market, it would also focus on the local market.

"The country's generic market is growing and Sandoz will remain a leading player in the local market," he said.

In India, Sandoz Pvt Ltd is into finished dosage forms and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) development. The company, which has 1,000 employees, has facilities located at Kolshet, Kalwe, Mahad and Turbhe in Maharashtra.

At the Mahad facility in Mumbai, which was acquired by the company along with the rifambicin business from Novartis last year, Sandoz is planning to have an entirely new set up for APIs, said a company official.

The facility will be restructured to suit the company's future requirement, the official added.

Sandoz became the world's largest generics company following the acquisition of Hexal AG, a privately held large scale generics company in Germany. The acquisition brought together three premier generics companies that combine Sandoz' global geographic presence in anti-infectives.

Hexal AG was the world's number two generics company in Germany with a strong European presence and 67. 7 per cent stake in Eon Labs, a fast growing US generics company.

Sandoz also operates two business units with specific strategic focus on anti-infectives and bio-pharmaceuticals.