Zydus, one of the leading domestic integrated healthcare groups, is foraying into Japan's $3.5 billion generics market. The group already has operations in the US, Europe and Brazil.
Headquartered at Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Zydus Pharma Inc - formed as a wholly owned subsidiary - will market formulation generics and APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients) in Japan. "We are in the process of estimating our targeted market share in Japan," a company official said.
Zydus Pharma will initiate the process for registration of products in 2007. Besides marketing generics, it will also explore collaborations and alliances with Japanese pharmaceutical companies in areas such as joint research and development, co-marketing, contract manufacturing for API, intermediates and formulations, according to a company release.
The companies include branded or speciality, generic drug and pharmaceutical venture firms, the official said.
Pankaj Patel, chairman and managing director, the Zydus group, said, "Meeting healthcare needs with affordable, high-quality therapies has been our constant endeavour. We have been engaged in building healthier communities globally and reaching out to people in the US, Europe, Latin America and elsewhere in the world. We now have an opportunity to extend our commitment to the people of Japan."
The group, a leading player in cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and women's healthcare segments, posted a turnover of Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion) in 2005-06.
Twelve of the Zydus brands feature among the top 300 pharma brands in the domestic market. With operations in over 40 countries worldwide, including the US, Europe, Brazil and other emerging markets, Zydus is poised to emerge one of the top ten global generics companies by 2010 and a research-driven company, globally, by 2020.
The company's formulations manufacturing plant at Moraiya, Ahmedabad, is approved by the USFDA; AFSSAPS, France; MHRA, UK; ANVISA, Brazil; amongst others.
The plant manufactures complex dosage forms such as transdermals, inhalers (MDI/DPI), suppositories, vaccines, injectables and oral dosage forms such as tablets, hard and soft gel capsules.
The group's API plants are also approved by USFDA and AFSSAPS. Zydus Cadila has a strong regulatory pipeline of 39 ANDAs and 40 DMFs.
