jupiter bioscience update

HYDERABAD, FEB 2: Jupiter Bioscience Ltd, engaged in synthesising peptides in solid and solution phases besides working on recombinant technology, is planning a slew of initiatives to introduce generic peptide drugs in the therapeutic areas of oncology, neurology, immunology and cardiovascular areas. Having bagged two orders from Aventis, with each order worth $1 lakh, for supplying raw peptide materials, the company is looking to consolidate in the global market for peptides using its US and India facility.
‘‘We have planned to become an integrated global leader in the peptide industry by 2009 working right from synthesis of raw materials to the finished dosage form,’’ Venkat R Kalavakolanu, CMD, said. Giving a breakup of the expected turnover by 2009, he said that 60% of the revenues is expected from peptides, 20% from organic, 10% from chiral and 10% from recombinant, he added.
Moreover, the company has signed an industrial relations programme with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston for conducting research on four peptides for human tissue engineering, Mr Kalavakolanu informed. It has opened its US office to enhance its presence in peptides and peptide-based drugs business in the global market besides setting up manufacturing facilities for peptide-based bulk actives.
The company is looking at peptides as a raw material and the future plan of action in R&D include development of newer coupling agents and peptide reagents which are used in peptide synthesis of products which are essentially vaccines, peptide antibiotics and drugs.
The other course of marketing action include setting up a production facility in the US for regulated markets which means that raw materials will be supplied from India and peptides made in the US to be sold in the US, UK and Japan.
‘‘Targeting both the generic and research segment, the company is setting up a facility in the US with an investment of $4 million’’ Mr Kalavakolanu said. The Rs 80-crore company is also in the process of raising funds through private equity of close to $90 crore in the next 6-8 weeks and targeting a turnover of Rs 135 crore by 2006-07.
Explaining that the global peptide market is about $5 billion, he said that India’s share is just 1%. Though pesticides are a small volume game and requires no huge infrastructure, it has less toxicity levels