Natco Pharma—Expanding cost-effective OTC portfolio

Natco Pharma started its journey in 1981, when it was set up by V C Nannapaneni. The company is involved in research, manufacturing and marketing of pharma substances and finished dosage forms for Indian and international markets. The company began its operations as a single unit with 20 employees, and today has four manufacturing facilities and employs around 1500 people. It has consistently ranked among the fastest growing pharma companies in the country. Natco is utilising its collective experience to kickstart its future plans as a global company. It is respected for its quality, performance, care, responsibility and for creation and maximisation of wealth for its shareholders.

R&D

Its R&D centre is located at Sanathnagar, Hyderabad which is built to meet post-GATT requirements. It provides pivotal support to Natco's operations. With focus on molecular modeling for NCEs, phyto chemistry, plant chemistry, new drug delivery technologies-Natco's research centre is at the forefront of the company's strategy to emerge as a research driven organisation. The contribution made by the research centre in evolving Natco as a pioneer contract research organisation is invaluable.

Cost effective product basket

The wide range of quality products of Natco, which includes cephalosporins, quinolenes, anti-cold, nutritional supplements and anti-allergic drugs, are available in approximately 65 percent of the geographical area of the country. The specialty range in gastroenterology, when launched for the first time in the country as an injectable omeprazole and a unique anti-cancer drug in the treatment of all phases of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) increased patient access to these drugs. The company is also involved in contract manufacturing activity for domestic as well international clients.

Plans in the pipeline

Natco is set to launch a wide range of new generation formulations in both prescription and OTC categories in various categories such as antibiotics, anti-malarial, anti-anginal, analgesics, anti-pyretic, peripheral vasodilators, amoebicides, anti-hypertensives,

anti-asthmatics, anti-epileptics, tranquilisers,anti-depressants, oncologicals, anti-emetics and nutritional supplements. Noted for their sustained quality, Natco's brands have instant recall and are represented in all therapeutic segments. It offers a basket of generic products to certain markets in India where cost-effective therapeutics are a necessity. Apart from expansion of the field force, plans are afoot to have more products launched in the field of other cancers, urology, psychiatry and cardiology, with distinctive technology and at an affordable price.

The company has recently signed a license and supply agreement with Mylan for its glatiramer acetate pre-filled syringes, a generic version of Teva's Copaxone, which is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). The agreement grants Mylan exclusive distribution rights in the US and all major markets in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Canada, and includes an option to expand into additional territories.

Natco has successfully commercialised its glatiramer acetate product in India and the Ukraine. "We are happy that we could conclude this agreement with Mylan to market and distribute glatiramer acetate in US and other countries," said Rajeev Nannapaneni, Director and Chief Operating Officer, Natco.