Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Saturday, Dec 03, 2005
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Saturday, Dec 03, 2005 |
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Corporate
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Announcements `Ranbaxy geared up to manufacture bird flu drug' Our Bureau
New Delhi , Dec. 2 RANBAXY Laboratories Ltd said that it is well-prepared to produce oseltamivir phosphate capsules (generic version of Tamiflu) used for treating bird flu if either the US Government or the innovator, Roche, asks them to do so. In a statement, Dr Brian Tempest, CEO and Managing Director, Ranbaxy, stated, "In terms of available capacity, within six months, we anticipate being able to produce 22 tonnes per annum (TPA) of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) based on Ranbaxy's API process. Within a12-month period, we expect to scale up our operations to produce a total of 100 TPA." The 22 TPA translates to a total of about 300 million 75 mg capsules, and within a year to a total of 1.3 billion 75 mg capsules. The API would be manufactured in Ranbaxy's FDA compliant facilities in India, and the capsules could be manufactured at its US facilities. It is estimated that within the first six months approximately 20 million patients could receive a course of treatment, and within the first year in excess of 100 million patients could be managed for the avian flu. The company is making all efforts to acquire the starting material — shikimic acid — from a variety of independent sources. Ranbaxy said it is willing to partner with other organisations, including the innovator, to effectively meet this public health challenge that threatens the US. It is also in talks with Roche to explore various avenues for partnership between the two companies in order to meet the immediate and critical requirements of oseltamivir phosphate.
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