Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Dr Reddys going green
Pharma major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd (DRL) will focus on "green chemistry" to make the process of drug design and manufacture more environmental friendly.
"We have been trying to be sustainable in our drug production for the last five years. However, we will focus more on this front and initiate internal measuring of green chemistry," says Mr G.V. Prasad, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dr Reddy’s.
"This can be defined as making a given molecule with maximum atomic efficiency, i.e., using least number of atoms," Mr Prasad explained.
The company is also taking other measures such recycling some of the by-products to other sectors in which they can be used effectively. "Sodium sulphate, for instance, is being sent to the construction industry where it can be used in producing other materials," he said.
The company is also in the process of making its building "green", he added.
The Hyderabad-based company has been bringing out a sustainability report since 2004 to mention its efforts in creating additional value to shareholders, environmental protection practice and corporate social responsibility.
Just as Biocon had losses due to exchange rate changes, Dr Reddy's forex losses in the September 2008 quarter were Rs 296 crore. However the pharma company believes it can grow revenues by 25 per cent in the current year from Rs 5, 006 crore in FY08.
Betapharm, a German firm that DRL bought in February 2006, fared reasonably well in the September quarter with revenues up 68 per cent. Betapharm’s performance helped boost DRL’s revenues which grew a robust 28 per cent Rs 1,615 crore. Revenues were also driven by the global generics business which grew by 40 per cent thanks to a good performance in key markets such as North America, Russia and Europe.
DRL continues to strengthen its pipeline by filing abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs)—it filed two during the quarter, taking the total new drugs in its pipeline to 66, among the strongest in the industry. The company will be selling Imitrex (anti-migraine medication) exclusively in FY09 , though it's not clear for how long the exclusive period will last.
Business Standard
"We have been trying to be sustainable in our drug production for the last five years. However, we will focus more on this front and initiate internal measuring of green chemistry," says Mr G.V. Prasad, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dr Reddy’s.
"This can be defined as making a given molecule with maximum atomic efficiency, i.e., using least number of atoms," Mr Prasad explained.
The company is also taking other measures such recycling some of the by-products to other sectors in which they can be used effectively. "Sodium sulphate, for instance, is being sent to the construction industry where it can be used in producing other materials," he said.
The company is also in the process of making its building "green", he added.
The Hyderabad-based company has been bringing out a sustainability report since 2004 to mention its efforts in creating additional value to shareholders, environmental protection practice and corporate social responsibility.
Dr Reddy's new drugs and business prospects
Just as Biocon had losses due to exchange rate changes, Dr Reddy's forex losses in the September 2008 quarter were Rs 296 crore. However the pharma company believes it can grow revenues by 25 per cent in the current year from Rs 5, 006 crore in FY08.
Betapharm, a German firm that DRL bought in February 2006, fared reasonably well in the September quarter with revenues up 68 per cent. Betapharm’s performance helped boost DRL’s revenues which grew a robust 28 per cent Rs 1,615 crore. Revenues were also driven by the global generics business which grew by 40 per cent thanks to a good performance in key markets such as North America, Russia and Europe.
DRL continues to strengthen its pipeline by filing abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs)—it filed two during the quarter, taking the total new drugs in its pipeline to 66, among the strongest in the industry. The company will be selling Imitrex (anti-migraine medication) exclusively in FY09 , though it's not clear for how long the exclusive period will last.
Business Standard
