The Hindu Business Line : Sun Pharma plans to spend Rs 300 cr in research

Research plans
The research entity has completed the first phase of clinical trials on a prospective anti-histamine drug.
It is also working on an earlier stage of epilepsy drug gabapentin and expects to file the Investigational New Drug (IND) application in the US in the second quarter of 2008.

Mumbai March 15 Sun Pharma will spend $60-75 million (more than Rs 300 crore) over the next three years through its innovative research entity for initiating and completing clinical studies to support products in its pipeline.

The Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company is in the process of demerging its innovative research outfit and expects to get it listed in a couple of months.

The research outfit already sits on $45 million (Rs 198 crore) and will license products and technologies to continue to fund the business, Sun Pharma's Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Dilip Shanghvi, told analysts, detailing plans over a month before getting the new entity listed.

The company is open to various options, he said, including licensing out technology and co-developing products.

The research entity has completed the first phase of clinical trials on a prospective anti-histamine drug targeting seasonal and perennial allergies.

The Phase I trial has been completed in Europe and India. It is undertaking Phase II trials, where the drug is targeted on people with the illness.

These trials on this once-a-day drug would be completed by the year-end, after which Phase III trials would commence, he added. The company expects to commence human trials on its prospective asthma drug by 2008.

The research entity is also working on an earlier stage of epilepsy drug gabapentin and expects to file the Investigational New Drug (IND) application in the US in the second quarter of 2008.

Also in the product basket is a muscle relaxant, a drug with global opportunities, he said. One of the innovative delivery systems being developed by the company is a dry powder inhaler.

The product is a multiple but single-dose device, he said, indicating that it gives little room for error. The product would be rolled out in unregulated and semi-regulated markets first.

It would be filed as a new drug application in regulated markets in 2011.

Other drug delivery systems being developed include gastro-retentive systems, for products not absorbed in the colon and lower intestine, besides biodegradable injectibles.