New Delhi, Dec 7 (PTI) Homegrown global vaccines majorSerum Institute of India plans to launch at least fourproducts and enter European and US markets in the next threeto four years as it seeks to retain number one position.
The company sells its products in 147 countries and isthe largest vaccines manufacturer by dosage globally with 1.2billion doses per annum.
"There are two ways to maintain the position - come outwith new vaccines as fast as possible for the existing marketsand developing new markets," Serum Institute of India CEO AdarC Poonawalla told PTI.
Elaborating on the company's plans to launch newvaccines, he said Serum Institute plans to launch four newvaccines in the coming years.
"We are planning to launch a pentavalent meningitisvaccine. It is five-in-one meningitis vaccine. It will becoming out in less than two years time," Poonawalla said.
By end of 2019, there is a plan to launch a pneumoniavaccine, which will have a huge impact of protectingchildren's lives, as pneumonia causes maximum number of childdeaths in the world, including in India, he added.
The other vaccines the company plans to launch are adengue vaccine and a human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine forcervical cancer in women, Poonawalla said.
He sought government help to cut down the time requiredfor approvals and improve ease of doing business and for thecompany to stay ahead of global competition.
"For us to stay ahead, we need support from thegovernment to give us a fast track approval for our newvaccines," Poonawalla said.
On entering new markets, specially the developed ones inEurope and the US, he said steps are being taken up to havepresence in these markets.
"We are not selling in the US and Europe right now buteventually in three years time we will go to Europe. Our firstvaccine, TDAP (for protection tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)should be launched in Europe in three years. It is a boostervaccine given to children," Poonawalla said.
The company's new facility in Pune, which will be readyin a year and a half will cater to Europe and the US, headded.
When asked about the company's investments on newproducts, he said: "We spend between Rs 300-400 crore a yearon research and development."Moreover, the company spends Rs 300-400 crore everyyear on capex, he added.
"We re-plough around 80 per cent of our profits in ourbusiness for R&D and capex for future growth and for upkeep ofour facilities," he added. PTI AKT RKLANU.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.