Homegrown
global vaccines major Serum Institute of India plans to launch at least four
products and enter European and US markets in the next three to four years as
it seeks to retain number one position.
The
company sells its products in 147 countries and is the largest vaccines
manufacturer by dosage globally with 1.2 billion doses per annum.
"There
are two ways to maintain the position - come out with new vaccines as fast as
possible for the existing markets and developing new markets," Serum
Institute of India CEO Adar C Poonawalla told.
Elaborating
on the company's plans to launch new vaccines, he said Serum Institute plans to
launch four new vaccines in the coming years.
"We
are planning to launch a pentavalent meningitis vaccine. It is five-in-one
meningitis vaccine. It will be coming out in less than two years time,"
Poonawalla said.
By
end of 2019, there is a plan to launch a pneumonia vaccine, which will have a
huge impact of protecting children's lives, as pneumonia causes maximum number
of child deaths ..
The
other vaccines the company plans to launch are a dengue vaccine and a human
papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine for cervical cancer in women.
He
sought government help to cut down the time required for approvals and improve
ease of doing business and for the company to stay ahead of global competition.
"For
us to stay ahead, we need support from the government to give us a fast track
approval for our new vaccines," Poonawalla said.
On
entering new markets, specially the developed ones in Europe and the US, he
said steps are being taken up to have presence in these markets.
"We
are not selling in the US and Europe right now but eventually in three years
time we will go to Europe. Our first vaccine, TDAP (for protection tetanus,
diphtheria, pertussis) should be launched in Europe in three years. It is a
booster vaccine given to children," Poonawalla said.
The
company's new facility in Pune, which will be ready in a year and a half will
cater to Europe and the US, he added.
When
asked about the company's investments on new products, he said: "We spend
between Rs 300-400 crore a year on research and development."
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