Biocon plans to launch drugs in eye-care segment

Biocon Ltd. | Pharmaceuticals & Drugs | Healthcare | BSE: 532523 | NSE: BIOCON

09 Jul 2010 Evaluate

Biocon Ltd has lined up products in new therapies such as glaucoma/eye-care. It plans to enter the lucrative and growing segment of ophthalmology through synthetic prostaglandins that are used to treat glaucoma, among other problems.

Branded formulations, a new range of injectable APIs (basic or active pharma ingredients) and peptides or proteins developed out of complex molecules will join the portfolio through two new divisions, the company said in its latest annual report. This year, it will add Comprehensive Care and Immuno Therapy divisions to the four divisions that currently have 36 brands.

With the commercialisation of synthetic prostaglandins used in the treatment of glaucoma, Biocon will make its foray into ophthalmics. The new product range includes synthetic prostaglandins, injectable APIs and peptides, several of which are niche molecules where the technology involved is complex and challenging.

With prostaglandin that lowers the fluid pressure in the eye, Biocon would be entering a zone where Allergan, Cipla, Sun Pharma, Bangalore-based Micro Labs and Novartis/Alcon are present. The glaucoma segment, according to an industry source, was around Rs 108 crore last year and is growing at 37 per cent annually.

Last year, the Glaucoma Society of India said 12 million people in India were affected and the numbers were rising among the aged. Synthetic prostaglandins have many other uses, such as inducing child birth; treating peptic ulcers; heart defects in new borns; pulmonary hypertension and erectile dysfunction.

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