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The Government of Kazakhstan has evinced interest in collaborating with MIDHANI to produce, on a commercial scale, bio-implants which have been beneficial to patients.
A team from the Hyderabad-based Midhani, a public sector undertaking, is in the former Soviet Union nation for discussions with UKTMP, a representative firm of the country, according to Dinesh Kumar Likhi, its Chairman & Managing Director.
Midhani, which is the main supplier of speciality materials for the defence, space and nuclear sectors, has made a range of bio-implants from titanium alloys and special grade stainless steel that have been certified by the Drug Controller of India.
Since 2001, the undertaking has been generating a revenue of a paltry Rs 1 crore on average, on account of business challenges as well as regulatory hurdles.
The market for titanium and stainless steel derived implants is estimated at Rs 1,000 crore, of which 50-60 per cent is accounted for by imports. Sensing the huge potential, Midhani has decided to focus on this vertical in collaboration with Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd (HAL), Lekhi told newspersons here today.
The two public sector undertakings signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at a function here. HAL, the Pune-headquartered antibiotics maker, with its nationwide dealer network and experience in pharma products, would be able to market these products well, said Nirja Saraf, its Managing Director.
Midhani makes over 130 types of implants, mostly using titanium alloys. These include shoulder prosthesis, hinged knee joints and total femur prosthesis.
The two firms are targeting a turnover of at least Rs 5 crore per annum to begin with. HAL will make the implants based on the high quality material that Midhani provides, and will market it through its network. The two partners have also decided to get the products tested and established scientifically, so that they can be pitched for export in the future.
A big challenge would be to bring down the cost of titanium alloy below that of the widely used stainless steel, and also convince medical practitioners about their efficacy and utility in the competitive market, Likhi said.
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