President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam lauds Wockhardt Biotech Research
Wockhardt Scientists help lower cost of medicines
Wockhardt develops Glargine, a research breakthrough

Aurangabad, September 23, 2004

The President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam inaugurated the Wockhardt Biotech Park, India’s largest biopharmaceutical complex with six dedicated manufacturing plants at Aurangabad today. The Rs. 200-crore state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical complex, spread over 3 lakh square feet, has capacities to cater to 10% to 15% of the global demand for major biopharmaceuticals.

The new generation complex is backed by Wockhardt’s intensive research and development programme, which has the intellectual strength of over 400 scientists, 80 of whom are working on breakthrough technologies in the area of biopharmaceuticals.

The President, who has been appreciative of Wockhardt’s research that has made key medicines more affordable to the people of India, toured the complex and discussed the new research areas with the scientists. He also addressed the 600-strong audience consisting of diabetologists, nephrologists and other medical specialists from all over India, and scientists and delegates from abroad.

Addressing the media ahead of the inauguration, Wockhardt chairman Mr. Habil Khorakiwala announced that Wockhardt scientists have made a technology breakthrough by developing and mastering the technology to make glargine, a new generation advance on insulin. “We will initiate Phase III clinical trials with Glargine and we expect to introduce it in India in next 18 months,” Mr. Khorakiwala said.

With the introduction of glargine and convenient delivery devices like pens, Wockhardt will have a comprehensive range of products for the management of diabetes. Wockhardt’s Wosulin (recombinant insulin) launched last year, has captured a 20% share of the new prescriptions. Wockhardt’s entry into this market led to a 40% drop in price, which has led to a 20% increase in usage of insulin by diabetic patients in India. “India has the world’s largest diabetic population of over 30 million and we are happy that our scientists have been instrumental in reaching insulin to a wider population of Indian diabetics,” Mr. Khorakiwala said.

After expanding the insulin market by making it more affordable, Wockhardt is now seeking to empower Indian diabetics with knowledge on management of the disease. The company has launched a dedicated website for diabetics www.wockhardtdiabetic.com in nine Indian languages.

Wockhardt’s success in making erythropoietin has led to a significant drop in the price of this medicine, which is vital for improving the haemoglobin levels in patients suffering from end stage kidney disease and cancer.

Wockhardt has been focusing on the management of complicated diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The company has leveraged its biotechnology strength to offer cost-effective solutions for treating chronic ailments. “In the case of diseases like cancer, the body’s immune system finds it extremely difficult to handle the cancer cells. Biotechnology products like interferon, which we expect to launch next year, help improve the immune defence system,” Mr. Khorakiwala said.

Global Plans
“Biotechnology is a key component of our global strategy,” Mr. Khorakiwala said. “We are targeting a 100-fold increase in biotech exports to Rs. 100 crores by 2006.” The exports will come from Wockhardt’s three key biotechnology drugs - Wepox (erythropoietin), Wosulin (recombinant insulin) and Biovac B (Hepatitis B vaccine.)

Wockhardt has already received approvals from regulatory agencies of 10 countries in South-East Asia, Central Asia, South America and Africa, and expects many more approvals in the next 12 to 18 months. “These markets offer huge opportunities,” Mr. Khorakiwala said. “For example, the market for insulin alone in these markets exceeds $800 million.” Several high value biotech medicines are due to come off patent in the next few years, offering opportunities to launch cost-effective versions with the potential of reaching more needy patients across the world.

Wockhardt & Aurangabad
Wockhardt was one of the earliest Indian companies to establish manufacturing facilities in Aurangabad city. It started with a small unit in Chikalthana in 1976. Over the years, Aurangabad has become the nerve centre of Wockhardt’s research and manufacturing activities, spread over five lakh square feet. It has eight manufacturing plants in the city - six in the new biopharmaceuticals complex in addition to one each in Chikalthana and Waluj. The company is one of the leading employers in the city.

The Wockhardt Research Centre is the only pharmaceutical research centre in Aurangabad. It has over 400 scientists, including more than 100 PhDs, who are working in medicinal chemistry, biotechnology, pharmaceutical technology and new drug discovery. The new drug discovery programme focuses on anti-infectives, a therapeutic group of great relevance to India and developing countries. The programme has yielded several lead molecules, which are under various stages of trials.

Wockhardt is one of India’s premier research and technology-based pharmaceutical companies. Wockhardt has a wide global reach and over the past two years it has made two successful acquisitions in Europe and established its own sales and marketing organisations in the US. More than 60% of Wockhardt’s sales come from international markets. Sales in dollar terms have grown from $25 million 10 years ago to $250 million. Wockhardt’s market capitalisation has grown from $45 million 10 years ago to the $800 mark today.