Lupin to strengthen its brand and specialty arm in US

New Delhi : Drug major Lupin is looking to strengthen its branded and specialty business in the US by launching new products, brand acquisitions and even buyout of other specialty companies which compliment its therapy focus.

"The company is committed to strengthening its branded and specialty portfolio by leveraging, developing and launching products from its own pipeline (including Gavis) and through making strategic brand acquisitions or acquiring other specialty companies which compliment our therapy focus," Lupin CFO Ramesh Swaminathan told.

The company focuses on various therapeutic areas like paediatric, women's health, inhalation, derma and ophthalmology for that matter, he added.

Commenting on the launch of Methergine oral tablets, used for the preventing excess blood loss after delivery, in the US, Swaminathan said: "The Methergine launch is definitely going to have a positive impact on our US revenues..".

"Our specialty and brands business is sure to pick up traction as we add new products to our brands portfolio which will contribute to firming up our profitability. The Methergine launch is one such instance," he added.

The US is Lupin's largest market and contributed 45 per cent to the company's revenue during 2014-15. The company's brands business contributed around 8 per cent of its US revenues of over USD 800 million in 2014-15.

The Mumbai-based company is the only Indian company with a substantial brands business in the US. Lupin began its foray into the specialty and brands market in the US when it launched Suprax after securing its exclusive rights in that country from Fujisawa, now Astellas.

The company has five brands under its portfolio namely Suprax, Antara, Alinia, Locoid and Inspira Chamber in the US market.