The Hindu Business Line : French pine-tree catches Indian drug firms' fancy

Root cause
Pycnogenol is a water-extract from the bark of the French maritime pine-tree
Sun Pharma, Alkem Lab already use pycnogenol as ingredients for some products
Two skincare products using the extract as an ingredient are slated for launch in the Indian market

Mumbai , April 6

Bark from the French maritime pine-tree grown exclusively along the South-West coast of France may seem far removed from drug companies in India. But clinical trials are set to commence in India on pycnogenol, a water-extract from the bark of the French maritime pine-tree, for its use in skin applications.

In fact, pycnogenol is already used as an ingredient in some products made by drug firms Sun Pharmaceuticals and Alkem Laboratories.

Horphag Research Ltd, the exclusive supplier of pycnogenol worldwide, expects to commence the clinical study on pycnogenol in India by May, Mr Hector Bandelier, Director (sales) with the company, told Business Line. Horphag Research is in the process of meeting clinical research organisations (CRO) in India, he said.

Pycnogenol is a registered trademark with the Geneva-headquartered Horphag Research Ltd and the extract is protected by international and US patents, said data on the company's Web site.

Two skincare products using the extract as an ingredient are slated for launch in the Indian market later this year, Mr Bandelier said. Alkem Laboratories already uses pycnogenol in its cardiovascular product Maxxio, he pointed out.

The host of benefits that pycnogenol has to its credit includes being a powerful anti-oxidant, a natural anti-inflammatory agent, besides aiding in the dilation of blood vessels - claims that have been put to scrutiny by160-plus published clinical studies across the world, says Mr Bandelier.

As a result the product gets used in segments such as cardiovascular health, diabetes, skincare, sun-protection, asthma, allergies etc, he points out.

Horphag is looking to expand the use of pycnogenol in India beyond drug companies to nutraceutical firms and the food industry, as well.

And the company representative is convinced that the expanding market can be supported by Horphag's resources in France.

One tonne of pine-bark gives one kilo of pycnogenol and one tree gives 400-500 kilos. But a tree needs to be 35 years old before the bark can be used, he said.

Horphag sold its first kilo of pycnogenol in 1987 and at present sells the product in 70 countries, he said, unwilling to divulge revenues of the unlisted company.