The Hindu Business Line : ratiopharm opens R&D centre in Goa

The Goa project, the first in Asia, which is in its first phase, has an investment of Rs 75 crore and an equal amount would be invested in the second phase.

Panaji , Oct. 12

A PHARMACEUTICAL research and development (R&D) centre set up by ratiopharm India Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of ratiopharm International GmbH, Germany, was inaugurated by the Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsingh Rane, at Verna in South Goa on Tuesday.

The Industries Minister, Mr Luizinho Faleiro, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar, and the Chairman of the ratiopharm Group, Dr Philipp Merckle, were also present.

The ratiopharm group has its presence in over 25 countries and has an annual turnover of about $2 billion, said Dr Merckle, as he talked of the company's plans to use Goa as one of the leading future centres for pharma R&D.

The Goa project, the first in Asia, which is in its first phase, has an investment of Rs 75 crore and an equal amount would be invested in the second phase. Mr Heiner Hoppman, Managing Director, Technical Operations, ratiopharm Group, said that the group was now entering more difficult market conditions. "We found good infrastructure for R&D facilities. One of the very important aspects in deciding about India was, India could make available very trained, very skilled and very knowledgeable people. Apart from that some inherent advantages in India were its stable democracy and good legal system which was crucial for the future of pharma industry," he said.

As for Goa, he said that its proximity to Mumbai, a well-established pharma industry and good living conditions were the factors that contributed to the decision. The company's CEO, Mr Claudio Albretch, in his message said that the company would invest significantly in product development of generic products.

Stating that according to his own survey, the Goan pharmaceutical industry needed around 3,000 trained personnel per year, Mr Faleiro urged ratiopharm to join hands with the State Government to upgrade and expand its pharmaceutical college so that it could train people the industry needs. He said that the government's plan to come out with a biotech policy will help the State's growing pharma industry.

The Chief Minister, Mr Rane, said that the Government had plans to make Goa a knowledge hub and promised all support to the pharma industry in the State, which, he said, already had the presence of around 40 multi-national and Indian companies in the manufacturing sector.

Mr Shyam Rohra, CEO and Managing Director, ratiopharm India Pvt Ltd, said that Goa was ideal to become a R&D hub for the pharma industry in India. "Clean environment, spacious plots of well-developed land, a 15-minute drive from airport, reliable and good-quality power supply, transparent single-window approval process for establishing new industrial undertakings and world-class communication network were clear attractions for us in selecting Goa as our first R&D and production site in Asia," said Mr Rohra.

Speaking of future plans he said that sufficient space has been reserved for a large production facility to be established in the next few years. "Ours is a recognised export-oriented unit which would help the country to earn valuable foreign exchange," he remarked.

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