CompanyWatch: Cheminor Drugs - Moving up with Chiral Synthesis
cheminor.com
Cheminor Drugs develops improved ibuprofen process
Anju Ghangurde
Mumbai, Oct 10: Cheminor Drugs, part of the Dr Reddy's group, has developed a process for an improved version of ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug, based on chiral synthesis. The move is significant given that S-Ibuprofen (the chiral version of ibuprofen) could near half the regular ibuprofen dosage, besides improving the side-effect profile.
Cheminor's success follows that of the Mumbai-based Cipla which plans to hit the market with its R-salbutamol, an anti-asthma drug, based on chiral synthesis.
Chiral drugs are of growing importance as industry strives to offer "zero risk" drug therapy and experts expect the chiral bulk drug market to touch $7.5 billion post 2000. Dr Reddy's Lab's official spokesperson confirmed the development but said, "The dosage is more likely to be half of the regular (racemic) ibuprofen and definitely not 6mg. Plans for this product are currently dormant". Pure ibuprofen brands like Indoco's Ibuflamar is available in strengths of 400 mg.
Chiral drugs or improved chemicalentities (ICE) are essentially based on the principle that most substances comprise two near identical "mirror image" molecules called isomers. Often one isomer contributes to the most useful activity while the other causes most of the side-effects. Loosely put, chiral synthesis involves repacking a successful drug by leaving out all unnecessary, side-effect causing components. However, the Dr Reddy's spokesperson said, "This product has not been launched widely by anybody and is unlikely to have a significant market. There is an argument that the human body converts in-situ regular ibuprofen into S-Ibuprofen partially and also R-ibuprofen is not harmful. Hence, the potential for this profuct is limited especially when there are several next generation (COX-2 inhibitors) in the market." Experts say that that S(+)-ibuprofen is 160 times more active than the R(-)-isomer and administration of the former alone could be advantages to avoid unnnecessary intake of a chemical entity.
Industry analysts say that even if the market for Cheminor's S-Ibuprofen is limited, it demonstrates the Hyderabad-based company's capabilities in the area of chiral synthesis. "Even if the short-term gains are limited, it is significant in terms of long-term potential. Moreover, it is of value as the two companies edge closer to a merger," an analyst with a foreign brokerage said.
The fast-growing Cheminor expects to close the current fiscal with revenues of around Rs 275 crore and profitability exceeding 10 per cent. Net forex earnings are expected to be in the region of $47.5 million in 1999-2000.Cheminor managing director GV Prasad in the latest annual report said that the company has built up a generic pipeline of abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) that are already filed and has ongoing development work on several blockbuster drugs with potential sales of $50-100 million by 2001-2002.
INSIGHT
Gains from chiral synthesis
By isolating S-ibuporfen, Cheminor Drugs has marked its presence in the chiral synthesis segment. Though the product is unlikely to reap profits for Cheminor, the point worth noting is that the company has once again proved its technological strength. Ibuprofen is a highly competitive market, and reducing the dosage to half from the current level is likely to go well with doctors and patients alike. In crowded as ibuprofen markets , chiral synthesis offers firms the much needed advantage.
-- Shishir Asthana (Financial Express) |
