Ranbaxy charts 10-yr roadmap to fuel growth

NEW DELHI: Ranbaxy Laboratories has prepared a new pill for growth. Christened ''vision garuda'', it''s a 10-year roadmap to attain significant growth, positioning Ranbaxy as a research-based global pharmaceutical company.
The vision statement, a brainchild of company CEO and MD DS Brar, targets to scale a turnover of $5 billion by 2012, company sources said.In 2002, Ranbaxy had notched up a turnover of Rs 2,768.6 crore, posting a 42.6 per cent rise over 2001.
The plan envisages to develop two-to-three patented new drugs (from new molecules) over and above the existing molecules under development. Sources said these drugs would be in the areas of urology, metabolic disorder and anti-infectives.
And, the drug developments will be coupled with an alliance-making strategy in areas of strength and non-strength with global pharma majors. Alliances would be made in various areas - like identifying target (protein) for drug development, Phase-III clinical trials (areas of non strength) and also in the stages of pre-clinical, Phase-I and II of trials, areas of strength.
Ranbaxy has already entered into a co-licencing alliance with Schwarz Pharma for development of RBX-2258 — a drug to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Other molecules under studies/development are: RBX 6198 (second BPH molecule), RBX 9841 (antagonists for overactive urinary bladder), RBX 7796 (respiratory infections), RBX 7644 (anti-bacteria) among others.
The pharma major has also decided to set up a R&D unit in north America. The facility will come into place by June, 2004, Rashmi Barbhaiya, president R&D said.
The R&D unit in North America won''t be as big as the Indian facility and quantum of investment and number of scientists to be recruited are yet to be worked out. However, it would be a key facility for critical factors like conducting phase-III clinical trials (which no company can afford to do outside the US and Europe) and preparatory work for regulatory approvals.
The ''vision garuda'' will also focus on novel drug delivery system (a unique method to lower dosage and increase efficacy of a drug), expansion of manufacturing facilities in India and strategic overseas locations. It will also revamp organisational structures to cater to a wider span of operations and standardise business processes.
The sources added that the US business is poised to contribute significantly to Ranbaxy''s revenue growth.