India's drug makers move beyond generics

NEW DELHI, India

India’s big pharmaceutical companies are moving from generic drug manufacturing to introducing their own originally researched drug molecules, which are expected to hit the market by 2010-11, according to published reports.

Among the companies involved in research and development of the new molecules are Ranbaxy, Glenmark and Dr. Reddy’s. Altogether about 10 to 12 companies have molecules under various stages of development.

Research and development investments now account for as much as 7 percent to 9 percent of sales. For example, Ranbaxy invested $80 million in research and development in 2006-07; this year that number has gone up to $100 million.

The key for these companies will be to partner with more experienced pharmaceutical manufacturers to help conduct more original research and development on new drugs.