The Hindu Business Line : Insulin pens on cards

WHAT would be Biocon's next step after entering the human insulin world ruled by MNCs? It would now follow it up with devices to deliver insulin, naturally, starting with the injectable pen.

The Rs 728-crore domestic biotechnology leader will start manufacturing reusable insulin cartridges or pens at the biologicals plant that is coming up at its new Bommasandra facility in the next 6-9 months.

The cartridge unit based on imported, FDA-approved technology is to be part of the Rs 150-crore biologicals facility which is being set up to produce the ambitious monoclonal antibodies - one of the two "exciting areas" that Biocon is pursuing, according to its Chairman and Managing Director, Ms Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.

Insulin majors Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are already there in the segment of pens and analogues. Ms Mazumdar Shaw said it was difficult to estimate the market for the higher-end pen, which would have to break into the vial market. But "in devices, the cost will have to be the differentiator."

Biocon is already working on the non-invasive or painless oral insulin tablet in collaboration with Nobex.

Proteins, biologicals, GCSF and streptokinase, she said, were the other areas the company is focussing on.

The cardiodiabetic range of 12 products launched some 8 months ago was doing well and would see new combinations and products launched in the near future, according to Mr Ajay Bharadwaj, President - Group Marketing.

With 175 people pressed into the field, he said the business was set to grow four-fold.

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