Cipla launches drug to treat Swine flu virus

Posted AtNDTV PROFITS

A few years back, he invited the ire of his global competitors by launching the anti-AIDS cocktail and now the "generic drugs maverick" K Hamied, the CMD of Cipla, is back with his affordable alternative for the recent pandemic H1N1.

Drugmaker Cipla on Wednesday launched its generic version of Roche's Tamiflu, used in the treatment of the H1N1 swine flu virus. The drug has been cleared by the WHO cleared and it will now be available in select drug stores in India.

And his plans are clear: to tap the export market for his generic version of Roche’s Tamiflu that Cipla is marketing under the brand name "Antiflu". The drug maker said it has offered to supply Cipla's Oseltamivir brand to the Unites States.

YK Hamied, CMD of Cipla, said, "Apparently, there is a shortage there. We have offered and it is now up to them. We can produce 2 million doses of Oseltamivir a month if needed."

Cipla has so far made $10 million in revenues by exporting this drug to countries in Latin America, Africa and some parts of the Middle East and the South East Asia. The patent protection regime in the US and Europe has kept the company for exploiting these markets but Cipla is hoping to see them open up.

Even as it faces tough competition in the domestic space from players like Hetero Drugs, Strides Arcolab, Natco Pharma and Ranbaxy Lab, Cipla's top man is sticking to his time tested formula for growth by pushing up exports. But will the H1N1 generic drug replicate the success of Cipla's anti-Aids drug will depend on how hostile the competitors are towards this launch.

November 18, 2009