Diabetes could reach epidemic level

PUNE: The ''silent killer'', diabetes, is growing, killing six people every minute, world wide.
India is among the top five countries where it is reaching epidemic proportions, with an estimated 30 million sufferers. This makes insulin a Rs. 232 crore domestic market.
Targeting this is Biocon Ltd, the Bangalore-based bio-pharmaceutical company, which recently launched its bio-generic product, Insugen.Biocon will take this recombinant human (r DNA) insulin product to world markets without dramatically reducing prices. It is seeking registration for the drug in 20 countries, starting with South and South East Asian countries.
However, in the US and European markets, it will not reduce prices markedly. This is its learning from the experience of other Indian pharma companies, who are facing stiff resistance from global pharma companies over issues of pricing. Biocon plans to tie up with pharma companies to distribute its products there, with a modest reduction in price.
"In the US, such products are priced at USD 22 per vial; we are pricing ours, in India, around USD 3-4 per vial (Rs. 126) for 40 iu/ml. When we go to the US, we will not reduce our prices dramatically, affecting the market there," Rakesh Bamzai, vice president, marketing, Biocon, said.
Mr Bamzai added that since the US FDA has still to formulate regulations over bio-generics, in which category Insugen falls, they will not be entering the US market immediately.Biocon is working with European pharma companies, since the EU has a policy in place for bio-generics.
Biocon''s focus areas are diabetes and oncology. In the latter category, it has carried out clinical trials for a humanised mono-clonal antibody HR 3 and is working on cancer vaccines. These are 16-24 months away from launch.
Its recent tie up with Nobex, US, will lead to the development of an oral insulin product. However, this is expected to take time and could be in the market in three to four years time. Mr Bamzai said Nobex has the technology and Biocon the insulin and a low cost location to manufacture as well.
Keeping in mind the fear of injections, Biocon has invested in the production of pen fills, cartridges which will carry the dose. It proposes to manufacture the cartridges in-house, having imported the machinery. Currently, it has undertaken stability tests. These should be in the market in a year''s time, Mr Bamzai said.
The bio-pharma company is set to grow at a speedy rate, hence its USD120 million (about Rs. 600 crore) investment in Biocon Park, a new plant about three kms from its existing. The new facility, in the first phase, will manufacture statins.
This will be ready in the first quarter of 05, with bio-tech production beginning from the third quarter, 05. Mr Bamzai explained that the new plant will manufacture statins, bio generics and innovative bio tech products. Syngene International Pvt Ltd, a contract research subsidiary, is already functional there with its 200 scientists.