Ind-Swift receives DCGI approval for anti-diarrhoeal drug

Divya Nair - Mumbai

Chandigarh-based Ind-Swift has received approval for its quinoline-derivative, anti-diarrhoeal plus antibacterial drug, from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). "The drug has successfully completed all stages of clinical trials and the company expects to launch it next month," informed V K Mehta, Managing Director, Ind-Swift, in an exclusive to Express Pharma Pulse.

"The market size of the anti-diarrhoeal segment in India is around Rs 500 crore," stated Mehta. "But most of the existing products in this segment are the old molecules. As a result the market has not witnessed any new launches in this category and has moved at a slow pace," he added.

The company plans to launch the drug in the domestic as well as international market. "The product will be sold through our wide marketing network comprising medical representatives and stockists. Besides, we have other strategies in the pipeline," informed Mehta.

Ind-Swift Laboratories, the other listed entity belonging to the same group, which manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients and advanced intermediates, already has a drug in this segment that is widely known by the name Nitazoxanide.

Ind-Swift is currently working on developing molecules under the statins, cardiology, diabetology and oncology segments. The company is also ready with filing four non-infringing processes in the current year and 12 more in the next year. Ind-Swift Laboratories has focused on Contract Research and Manufacturing Services (CRAMS) in a big way and expects 40-45 percent of their bottom line to come from the CRAMS business, in the next two to three years.